Natural Foods Definition
What Are Natural Foods?
When you hear the term natural food, what do you think of? I'll bet you think like many people around you. When we talk abou food we are all drawn to the term "natural" since we all think that natural is better for you than "non natural" food or processed food but What are exactly "natural" foods? The term "natural" adds a premium value to food products since consumer associate the term natural with fresher, minimally processed foods.
Despite the term's broad use by consumers and the food industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discourages the food industry from using "natural" on labels because of its ambiguity. The term "natural" implies that a food product is superior, fresher, safer or more healthful than its counterparts
The Federal food agency does not have a precise definition for natural food product. And in the grocery industry, disagreement reigns on the term's definition, according to experts on a panel at the Institute of Food Technologists'
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires only that natural products be free of artificial or synthetic ingredients or additives that would otherwise be "not normally expected," according to Ritu Nalubola According to the same source (IFT) "In 1991, FDA tried to define the term and, by 1993, gave up". Finally, the FDA has decided to "not restrict the use of 'natural' on products. It is a very complex term,"
Today FDA is continuing that practice, originated in 1988. For a product to be called natural, it must be free of artificial or synthetic ingredients or additives, including color, flavor or any ingredient "not normally expected." Hence, lemonade flavored with beet juice cannot be called natural. In addition, any food enhanced with caramel, paprika or color (consider bright orange cheese) cannot be called natural.
So we will have to wait to see how food regulators define natural. Until then we are at the mercy of propaganda and the goodwill of the food industry.
Published by R. Bourne, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Food and Nutrition. MBA. R. Bourne writes mainly about Health and Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Healing, Nutrition, Dieting and Food Science and Technology. He has been writing online content... View profile
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