What Does "Natural Flavors" Actually Mean? If you’ve ever flipped over a food label and seen the term “natural flavors,” you probably assumed it meant something simple, like fruit extracts, herbs, or spices. That assumption is exactly what food manufacturers are counting on. The reality is far more complex and far less transparent. The FDA's Official Definition The FDA defines "natural flavors" under 21 CFR 101.22 as: "The essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, pro