What ‘Natural’ Means in Food Manufacturing

By Carolyn Richardson

When ‘all natural’ appears on a food label, most consumers assume that the product contains no artificial ingredients. But, you may be surprised at how loosely the word ‘natural’ is used by food manufacturers. Because there is high demand for healthier foods, the word is used as a marketing tool. But savvy shoppers shouldn’t be fooled by this misleading practice.

Food Label Language

The term "natural" does not have an official legal definition. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says a natural food is “A product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and only minimally processed.” Foods may be labeled as ‘natural’ when they have ingredients that have been modified in the lab.

Read the rest of the article here