Nature-Identical Apple Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Nature-identical apple flavour is a chemically synthesised flavouring substance whose molecular structure is identical to compounds naturally found in apples (e.g. ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, hexyl acetate, trans-2-hexenal), used to impart or enhance apple taste and aroma in processed foods and beverages. It is produced synthetically in controlled laboratory conditions rather than being extracted directly from apple fruit.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Authoritative toxicological consensus (EU, WHO, FEMA) holds that nature-identical flavouring substances require the same safety evaluation as natural or artificial flavourings and do not inherently pose greater risk; no specific ADI has been established for the category as a whole. Individual constituent compounds (e.g. estragole, certain aldehydes) may carry substance-specific limits, and these are managed through maximum-level provisions in Annex III of EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. At typical use levels in food, nature-identical apple flavour is considered safe for the general adult population.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings. The former 'nature-identical' subcategory was abolished; such substances are now simply regulated as 'flavouring substances'. The term 'natural' may not be used for synthetically produced substances. Constituent compounds of toxicological concern are subject to maximum levels in Annex III. Union list of approved flavouring substances established by Implementing Regulation (EU) No 872/2012, in force from 20 January 2011.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Permitted under FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Regulation 3.3.1. Nature-identical flavouring substances are an explicitly recognised category. Labels must declare 'nature-identical' as a qualifier. For nature-identical substances, only the class name of the flavour (e.g. 'apple flavour') need be declared on pack, not each individual constituent.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Synthetic flavouring substances that are nature-identical are regulated under 21 CFR 172.515 (synthetic flavouring substances and adjuvants). GRAS status for individual flavouring substances is assessed by the FEMA Expert Panel. Nature-identical compounds are not classified as 'natural flavors' under 21 CFR 101.22; they fall under 'artificial flavor' labelling. No category-level ADI is established.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Children — Children may consume proportionally higher amounts of flavoured confectionery and beverages relative to body weight; while the flavouring class is approved, cumulative intake of constituent aldehydes and esters warrants mindful moderation in young children's diets per general EU guidance on flavourings.

Pregnancy — Certain flavouring constituent compounds (e.g. specific aldehydes) have not been extensively studied in pregnancy; as a precautionary measure and in line with general EU flavourings guidance, pregnant women may wish to limit intake of highly flavoured processed foods.

Other — Individuals with known hypersensitivity or intolerance to specific flavouring compounds (e.g. salicylates, which can occur in apple-related flavour profiles) should consult a doctor, as nature-identical formulations may contain trace constituents triggering reactions.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. 21 CFR 172.515 — Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants. accessdata.fda.gov
2FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations — Compendium (FSSAI, 2022), 2022. fssai.gov.in
3PubMed. The 'Natural' vs. 'Natural Flavors' Conflict in Food Labeling: A Regulatory Viewpoint, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4EFSA. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods, 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu
5other. EUR-Lex Impact Assessment — Proposal for a new Regulation on flavourings (52006SC1042), 2006. eur-lex.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations