Natural Flavors?

[JennyC]

Ok, so I've read about people being concerned about the ingredients of natural flavors. I decided to email companies and ask for a list of gluten-free foods, down to the ingredients in the natural flavors. The responses that I've gotten so far, Betty Crocker & Hershey's, say that that they plainly list their ingredients. (How can that really be true if they don't disclose the components of the natural flavors on the box?!)

Just how much should I worry about natural flavors?

also Newman's Own has a great list of their gluten-free products if you look at their website under FAQ!

[rbh]

Be careful about Hersheys -- although they say they give an accurate list of their ingredients on the product label, they no longer hold themselves out as disclosing all gluten on the label -- only wheat. To them, stating "natural flavors" on the label is the "accurate" statement of the ingredient. But they say that they do not know what is in the natural flavors, so therefore they can't necessarily disclose gluten (except for wheat, which they are required by law to disclose). If you talk to them, the rep will read a definition of natural flavors to you, which specifically says that it can be derived from gluten. Although apparently it does not happen that frequently, gluten can be present in natural flavors.

[tarnalberry]

Wheat has to be listed, if that was used in the derivation of the "natural flavor", but you're right - it can be hit or miss. I try to make intelligent choices (natural flavors when it's referring to a fruit, for instance, are likely to be fine) and try calling the company to see if they do know, but there is no magic rule other than trying to get a feel for the company and the product. Natural flavors rarely contain gluten, but sometimes a little paranoia isn't a bad thing.

[JennyC]

Thanks for the replies. It's hard to navigate through all of the information in the beginning. (I hope that it gets better!) I just want to make the best choices for my son.