Nature Identical Lemon Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

A chemically synthesised flavouring mixture that replicates the taste and aroma profile of natural lemon (Citrus limon), composed primarily of key lemon-characteristic compounds such as d-limonene (CAS 5989-27-5) and citral (CAS 5392-40-9), which are structurally identical to those found in nature but produced via chemical synthesis. Used widely in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and baked goods to deliver consistent lemon character at lower cost than natural extracts.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Considered safe at typical food-use levels with no established ADI for the mixture; individual key components (d-limonene, citral) are FEMA-GRAS and have been assessed by JECFA, but concentrated forms are classified as skin and respiratory sensitizers. The EU abolished the 'nature-identical' flavouring category under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, integrating such chemically synthesised substances into the general 'flavouring substances' framework subject to individual safety evaluation. Individuals with citrus hypersensitivity or known sensitisation to limonene or citral should exercise caution.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	The 'nature-identical' flavouring subcategory was abolished under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings; such chemically synthesised lemon flavouring compounds are now regulated as 'flavouring substances' and evaluated individually via the EU Register of flavouring substances. Flavourings do not receive E-numbers. Common authorisation procedure for flavourings established under Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Permitted under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Regulation 3.3.1 at GMP levels across multiple food categories. FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 explicitly recognise the 'nature-identical' qualifier and require the class name of the flavour to be declared on the label. FBOs may use natural, nature-identical or artificial flavours per Regulation 3.3.1.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Chemically synthesised (nature-identical) lemon flavouring components are regulated under 21 CFR 172.515 as synthetic flavouring substances and adjuvants. FDA does not use the 'nature-identical' terminology; such substances are classified as synthetic/artificial flavours. Individual lemon flavour components (e.g., d-limonene, citral) are assigned GRAS status by the FEMA Expert Panel, whose findings are published in Food Technology and forwarded to FDA.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Children — FSSAI advisory specifies that products containing flavourings intended for children under 5 years should be used only under medical advice; terpene-based flavour compounds warrant additional caution in young children whose detoxification pathways are not fully mature.

Other — Individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to citrus-derived compounds (limonene, citral) may experience skin, respiratory, or gastrointestinal reactions upon consumption of products containing nature-identical lemon flavour, as confirmed by EFSA's classification of d-limonene as a skin sensitiser (Skin Sens.1B).

Ibs — Terpene-containing flavouring agents including limonene may act as gastrointestinal irritants in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome or other functional gut disorders, potentially exacerbating symptoms.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Food Additive Status List – Synthetic Flavoring Substances and Adjuvants (21 CFR 172.515). fda.gov
2FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 – Compendium (Version operationalised 1 July 2022), 2022. fssai.gov.in
3PubMed. Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed lemon oil and its fractions from Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck and of lime oil from Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl) – EFSA Journal 2021;19(4):6548, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Appendix A: List of Food Additives, 2011. fssai.gov.in
5EFSA. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods, 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu

Independently researched6 citations