Flavor Enhancers

Additive

Seasonings

Overview

Flavor enhancers including MSG, yeast extracts, and natural flavors intensify taste to compensate for processing losses in ultra-processed foods. These additives appear in hidden forms across 80% of packaged savory products.

241,837

Products contain this

5,530

Ingredient variations

Common forms

MSG, yeast extract, hydrolyzed proteins, nucleotides

Function

Flavor enhancers amplify umami and other taste sensations, allowing reduced sodium and cost savings while maintaining palatability. They mask off-flavors from processing and inferior ingredients.

Sources

MSG is produced through bacterial fermentation, yeast extracts through autolysis, and natural flavors through complex extraction and synthesis. All involve industrial processes despite "natural" labeling.

Health Considerations

Flavor enhancers may override natural satiety signals leading to overconsumption. MSG sensitivity affects 1-2% of population, while hidden sources prevent informed avoidance.

Regulatory

MSG requires specific labeling but appears unlabeled in dozens of ingredients including hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extracts. Natural flavors are protected as trade secrets.

Common Variations (50 total)

And Disodium Guanylate. Doritos Brand Sour Cream Twists Tortilla Snacks: Corn,And Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate (Flavor Enhancers).,Calcium Chloride (Added to Promote Firmness) and Calcium Disodium Edta (Added to Preserve Color),Calcium Chloride (as a Firming Agent) and Calcium Disodium Edta (to Promote Color Retention).,Calcium Disodium Edta (Added to Protect Quality)],Calcium Disodium Edta and Sodium Metabisulfite (Added to Promote Color Retention).,Calcium Disodium Edta (to Protect Flavor.).,Calcium Disodium Edta {to Protect Flavor}],Calcium Disodium Edta to Protect Flavor Caramel Color,Calcium Disodium Edta (to Protect Flavor). Wasabi (See Packet),Calcium Disodium Edta Vitamin a Palmitate,Colored with Annatto / Turmeric. Calcium Disodium Edta Preservative. Artificial Butter Flavor. Vitamin a Palmitate Added.)and 38 more...