The Truth About “Natural Flavors” vs. What Equip Uses in Prime Protein

When shopping for food or supplements, you’ve probably encountered the term “natural flavors” on ingredient labels. It sounds harmless, even healthy. After all, “natural” implies that the ingredients come from nature. But what does the term really mean, and how does it compare to what companies like Equip include in their products, such as their Prime Protein?

Let’s dive into the differences between the ambiguous “natural flavors” and the specific ingredients used by a transparent brand like Equip.

What Are “Natural Flavors”?

The term “natural flavors” refers to a variety of compounds derived from natural sources. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), natural flavors are substances extracted from plants, herbs, meat, seafood, poultry, fruits, vegetables, or even fermented materials. The extraction process typically involves chemical solvents, heat, and pressure. The final product is a concentrated version of a taste or scent found in nature.

The problem lies in the fact that how the flavor is derived and what additional substances are added during processing is rarely disclosed. Just because the starting material comes from nature doesn’t mean the end product is entirely natural or free from additives.