Natural flavor
Also appears on labels as: natural flavoring, natural chicken flavor
A legally protected catch-all for a flavor blend derived from a plant or animal source. It can be hydrolyzed protein, rendered digest, yeast extract, or nearly anything else in that family.
Watched ingredients get highlighted on every product panel you open.
- Where it comes from
- Flavor houses, whose formulas are trade secrets.
- Why it's in the product
- Makes an extruded kibble taste like food.
- Safety and toxicity
- Not dangerous. The problem is that two bags carrying the identical label line can contain completely different things, and you have no way to tell.
- Interactions and who should be careful
- This is the ingredient that quietly wrecks elimination diets. An undisclosed flavor can contain the exact protein you are trying to remove.
What the research says
"Natural flavor" can be almost anything derived from a plant or animal source: hydrolyzed proteins, rendered digests, yeast extracts. Regulators don't require the blend to be named, so two bags with the same label line can contain completely different things.
We flag it for opacity, not toxicity. A label that names every ingredient scores better than one that hides behind a catch-all, because you can check what is actually in it.
Placeholder Sources: Source citations for this entry will be linked here once the citations feed is connected. Until then, ask us for the reading list any time: hello@checkthepanel.com.
General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.
Found in 121 scored products
We flag it by name on 121 of them. Lowest scores first.
Canine Carry OutsSausage Links - Beef Flavorcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
9LivesPlus Carecommunity importflagged on this product's score page
flagged on this product's score page
Meow MixOriginal Choice Dry Cat Foodflagged on this product's score page
PedigreeComplete Nutrition Adult Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetableflagged on this product's score page
flagged on this product's score page
PurinaBeggin' Thick Cut Hickory Smoke Flavorcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
TemptationsBlock Party BBQcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
Milk-BoneOriginal Medium Biscuitsflagged on this product's score page
Fancy FeastClassic Paté Chicken Feastflagged on this product's score page
PurinaPurina Dog Chowcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
PedigreeSmall Dog Food Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetables Flavorcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
flagged on this product's score page
Fancy Feastcreamy delights chicken feast with a touch of real milkcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
Special KittyGourmet Formula Seafood Blendflagged on this product's score page
ShebaPerfect Portions Cuts in Gravy Roasted Chickenflagged on this product's score page
flagged on this product's score page
flagged on this product's score page
PurinaFancy Feast Kitten Tender Chicken Feastcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
PurinaFancy Feast Kitten Tender Salmon Feastcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
PurinaFancy Feast Seafood Classic Paté Collectioncommunity importflagged on this product's score page
PurinaFancy Feast Kitten Tender Ocean Whitefish Feastcommunity importflagged on this product's score page
Royal CaninFeline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult Morsels in Gravyflagged on this product's score page
Purina Pro PlanComplete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Riceflagged on this product's score page
97 more scored products list this ingredient. Showing the 24 lowest-scoring.