Can fruit (or vegetable) juices, purees, powders, and similar ingredients be designated as “flavors?
No, with very few exceptions, these ingredients are foods that have nutritional value and may not be designated as “flavor” and must be listed by their common or usual name, e.g., tomato powder and lemon juice. However, powdered onion, powdered garlic and powdered celery, as specifically cited in the regulations (9 CFR 317.2 (f) (1) (i) and 381.118 (c) (2)), may be labeled as “flavor,” “natural flavors,” or similar terms. Onion juice and garlic juice, according to FDA, may also be termed “flavor,” etc.
