Natural Flavors: Fragrance Allergens Lurking In Plain Sight?

Natural flavours and fragrances can contain allergens, and it is important to be aware of this when buying food or cosmetic products. In the US, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires food manufacturers to list any of the eight major food allergens in a natural flavour, including milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and crustacean shellfish. However, if you are allergic to less common allergens, such as citrus or sesame, it can be more difficult to know if a product is safe. The same is true for fragrances, which often contain dozens of different natural chemicals, and it can be hard to identify which specific substance is causing an allergic reaction. The EU Cosmetic Regulation Annex III identifies 26 substances commonly found in fragrances that can cause skin irritation or allergies, but it can be challenging to determine which ingredient is causing the reaction.

The nine major allergens must be listed on food labels, but manufacturers don't need to disclose the ingredients of natural flavours

The nine major allergens that must be listed on food labels in the United States are milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. These allergens account for the majority of severe food allergic reactions, and their presence in food products is regulated by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2020.

However, manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used to create "natural flavors" in their products. This loophole in ingredient labeling can pose a risk to individuals with severe allergies, as "natural flavors" can contain virtually anything, including potential allergens. While the term "natural" may evoke positive associations with health and nature, "natural flavors" are often highly processed chemicals that impart flavor to prepared foods.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "natural flavor" or "natural flavoring" refers to substances derived from natural sources such as plants or animals, with their primary function in food being flavoring rather than nutrition. While creating a natural flavor, flavorists may use a variety of ingredients, including fruit or fruit juice, vegetables or vegetable juice, leaves or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. These ingredients are combined and processed to create the desired flavor profile.

For individuals with food allergies, the lack of transparency around "natural flavors" can be concerning. If a product lists "natural flavors" as an ingredient, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer to inquire about the presence of specific allergens. Additionally, opting for whole foods and minimizing the consumption of processed or packaged foods can reduce the risk of accidental allergen exposure.

While the FDA enforces regulations requiring companies to list ingredients on packaged foods, the exception for "natural flavors" highlights the importance of consumer vigilance and advocacy for clearer labeling practices.

If a natural flavour contains a major allergen, the label will specify, for example, natural flavouring (soy)

Natural flavours, or natural flavouring, are common terms used on food labels. They refer to plant or animal-based ingredients that add flavour but do not have nutritional value. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), natural flavours may be derived from fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, or leaf or similar plant material.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2020 mandate that food manufacturers list any of the nine major allergens in their products, even if they are in natural flavours. These allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, wheat, sesame, soy, fish, and crustacean shellfish.

If a natural flavour contains one of these major allergens, it must be specified on the label. For example, if soy is an ingredient in a natural flavour, the label will state "natural flavouring (soy)" or "Contains: soy." This is a crucial requirement to ensure that consumers with allergies can make informed choices and avoid potentially harmful substances.

It is important to note that if you have an allergy to a less common allergen, you may need to be more cautious with foods that list natural flavours. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer to confirm the safety of the product for consumption.

If you have an allergy to something other than the nine major allergens, you will need to be more cautious with foods listing natural flavours

If you have an allergy to something other than the nine major allergens, you will need to be cautious with foods listing natural flavours. The nine major allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, wheat, sesame, soy, fish, and crustacean shellfish. These are the allergens that manufacturers are required to list on food labels, according to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2020.

However, if you have an allergy to something other than these nine allergens, such as citrus or sesame, you may need to take additional precautions. While food labels will indicate the presence of "natural flavours", manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients within those natural flavours. This means that a product containing natural flavours could potentially contain an allergen that is not listed on the label.

To ensure your safety, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer to inquire about the presence of your specific allergen in their natural flavour blend. Additionally, opting for whole foods that you prepare yourself from scratch can reduce the risk of exposure to unknown allergens. It is also important to be aware that restaurant meals may contain natural flavours, and the allergen information may not be readily available.

In summary, if you have an allergy that is not one of the nine major allergens, it is crucial to be vigilant when consuming foods with natural flavours. Checking ingredient labels, contacting manufacturers, and choosing whole foods can help you make informed and safer choices.

Fragrances are considered to have the same allergenic properties whether they are added as a single chemical or as a naturally-occurring component of a whole essential oil

The EU Cosmetic Regulation Annex III (or the EU Allergens List) identifies 26 substances that are sometimes included in the fragrance component of leave-on products. These substances can cause immediate skin irritations (such as a rash) and allergies up to 24 hours later (like redness and swelling). For a product to be sold in Europe, these substances must be individually declared on the label when present in concentrations of at least 10 parts per million.

Essential oils and plant extracts are made up of dozens to hundreds of different natural chemicals in various combinations. If you remove any one of those chemicals, your chance of having a reaction to that one chemical increases. However, in its whole form, the likelihood of a reaction is much smaller.

For example, while people can be allergic to components of tonka bean (like coumarin) or citrus (like citronellol), One Seed founder Liz Cook explains that she's never met anyone who has had a reaction to rose oil in the 19 years she's been in business.

Whether they are added to the formula as a single chemical or as a naturally-occurring component of a whole essential oil, they're considered to have the same allergenic properties.

Because essential oils are made up of so many different natural chemicals, most consumers wouldn't even realise if it's one of the 26 substances on the EU Allergens List that they are reacting to. For example, linalool is a pleasant-smelling terpene that naturally occurs in more than 200 well-known plants and spices (e.g. jasmine and lavender) that can, in rare cases, result in dermatitis, itchiness, redness and hives.

Consumers don't know what chemical components are in, for example, lemon, and so wouldn't know to say they have a linalool allergy.

The EU Cosmetics Regulation list also doesn't speak to the long-term health effects of any of these ingredients, let alone those that aren’t on the allergens list.

The Scientific Community of Consumer Safety (SCCS) has suggested that between 1 and 3% of the population are sensitised to substances still widely-used in fragrances.

The SCCS also found that the following 12 single substances have caused a (very) high number of published cases of sensitisation:

• Amyl cinnamyl alcohol
• Butylphenyl methylpropional (e.g., Lilial ®)
• Rose Ketone-4 (Damascenone)
• Alpha-Damascone (TMCHB)
• Dimethylbenzyl carbinyl acetate (DMBCA)
• Hexamethylindanopyran
• Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC, e.g., Lyral®)
• Alpha-Isomethyl ionone
• 3-Methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopentenyl)pent-4-en-2-ol
• Alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene
• Propylidene phthalide
• Alpha-Santalol and beta-Santalol
• Terpineol (isomere mix)
• Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
• Trimethyl- benezenepropanol (Majantol)

The SCCS recommends that the use of HICC and atranol-/chloroatranol-containing extracts from Evernia spp. in cosmetic products be abandoned altogether.

The SCCS also identified the following 12 natural extracts as known contact allergens in humans:

• Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang oil)
• Cedrus atlantica bark oil (cedar oil)
• Cinnamonum cassia leave oil (cassia oil) Cinnamonum zeylanicum bark oil (cinnamon oil)
• Citrus aurantium amara flower/peel oil (neroli oil)
• Citrus bergamia peel oil expressed (bergamot oil)
• Citrus limonum peel oil expressed (lemon oil)
• Citrus sinensis (syn.: aurantium dulcis) peel oil expressed (Orange oil)
• Cymbopogon citratus/schoenanthus oils (lemongrass oil)
• Eucalyptus spp. leaf oil (eucalyptus oil)
• Eugenia caryophyllus leaf/flower oil (clove oil)
• Evernia furfuracea extract (tree moss)
• Evernia prunastri extract oak moss)
• Jasminum grandiflorum/officinale (jasmin abs.)
• Juniperus virginiana (cedarwood oil)
• Laurus nobilis (laurel oil)
• Lavandula hybrida (lavandula hybrida extract)
• Lavandula officinalis (lavandula angustifolia herb extract)
• Mentha piperita (peppermint oil)
• Mentha spicata (spearmint oil)
• Myroxylon pereirae (extracts, distillates) (Balsam of Peru)
• Narcissus spp. (Narcissus abs.)
• Pelargonium graveolens (geranium oil Bourbon)
• Pinus mugo/pumila (pinus mugo twig leaf extract)
• Pogostemon cablin (patchouli oil)
• Rose flower oil (Rosa spp.) (rose oil)
• Santalum album (sandalwood oil)

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to know what you are sensitive to and how to avoid it

Fragrances are common components that can lead to some people developing an allergic reaction. Up to 4.5% of the general adult population may be allergic to fragrance materials. This type of allergy generally causes symptoms on the skin that can be treated with medication. However, it is important to note that an allergic reaction can also cause respiratory issues and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be dangerous.

• Understand your allergy: Educate yourself about your allergy. Knowledge is power, and understanding your triggers can help you avoid them. Seek a proper diagnosis from an allergist or dermatologist, who can perform a skin patch test or skin prick test to determine the specific allergen causing your reaction.
• Read labels carefully: Always check the labels of cosmetic or personal care products, cleaning supplies, and packaged food items. Avoid products with ingredients labeled "parfum," "perfume," "fragrance," or "natural flavors." Opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, or natural alternative products.
• Contact the manufacturer: If you are unsure about the presence of a specific allergen, don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer and inquire about the ingredients used in their products. This is especially important if you have eaten a product with no adverse effects, as stress can exacerbate allergic reactions.
• Choose whole foods: Opt for whole foods that don't include any additives. Prepare your meals from scratch using fresh, natural ingredients. This way, you have better control over the ingredients and can avoid potential allergens.
• Be cautious when dining out: Remember that any food you eat from a restaurant may contain "natural flavors" or fragrances, which are not always disclosed on the menu or ingredient list. If you have severe allergies, inquire about the ingredients used in the dishes before ordering.
• Create awareness: Inform your family, friends, colleagues, and superiors about your allergy or sensitivity. Most people will be understanding and accommodating once they are aware of the potential health risks associated with fragrances.
• Establish fragrance-free policies: Encourage the creation of fragrance-free policies in your workplace and public spaces. This may include requesting scent-free spaces or asking employees to refrain from wearing strong fragrances or using perfumed cleaning products.
• Personal protections: If you cannot completely avoid exposure to fragrances, consider wearing a mask or using a portable air purifier with HEPA filters to reduce your exposure to aerosolized chemicals and allergens.
• Avoid cross-contact: If you have food allergies, be vigilant about cross-contact in your kitchen and when dining out. Avoid sharing utensils, cutting boards, or other surfaces that may have come into contact with allergens.
• Be mindful of "unscented" products: Even if a product is labeled "unscented" or "fragrance-free," it may still contain fragrance components or masking fragrances to cover up offensive odors. These components can still trigger an allergic reaction.
• Monitor your environment: Fragrance allergens can be present in various household and personal care products, such as soaps, hand sanitizers, lotions, deodorants, sunscreens, shampoos, detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, scented candles, and more. Choose fragrance-free options whenever possible.

By following these tips and staying informed about your specific allergens, you can effectively prevent allergic reactions and live a healthier, more comfortable life.

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