Flavor Safety: Myth vs. Fact
November 1, 2017
By FEMA Staff
We know flavors and flavor ingredients can seem a bit confusing, and consumers are curious how these materials’ safety is evaluated. We’ve compiled a short list of common misconceptions and facts about FEMA and flavor safety. Check them out below.
Click here to download the infographic
Myth: Americans must rely solely on the food industry for the safety of flavors in food and beverages
How the Common Cold Affects Flavor
Have you ever noticed that when you have a cold, food just doesn’t taste right? You’re not alone.
International Flavors to Savor
In recent years, American cuisine has expanded its traditional menu to include fresh new international foods and flavors, resulting in a clear increase in the number of international restaurants, cookbooks, and ingredients sold in supermarkets.
Consumers Play A Major Role in Flavor Development
Have you ever opened a bag of potato chips and thought to yourself “I wish I could have a chip that tasted like Chicken & Waffles or Sriracha?” Your wish is now a reality.
Texture Tools: A Key to Flavoring
Words like salty, sweet, sour, and bitter describe common flavor taste perceptions, but taste alone does not make up your entire flavor experience. Other aspects like appearance, aroma, sound, and texture also contribute to a flavor’s taste.
What Flavors Meat and Why We Crave It
For many of us, the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan or burgers smoking on the grill makes our mouths water. What is it that flavors meat and leaves us craving more?
Putting Flavor First
Here’s a challenge: Create a heart-healthy, low sodium, low calorie dish that everyone will crave. Ready, Set, Go! This is the task for chefs today who are looking to meet customers’ health expectations without sacrificing flavor.
Neurogastronomy: Flavors Engage the Brain
Think about the last time you had a cold with a stuffed up nose, limiting your sense of smell, and you tried to eat your favorite food. Didn't quite taste the same did it?
The Science Behind Taste
What do we actually know about our tongue’s ability to taste flavor? As we continue to learn more about our ability to taste, researches are able to develop new terms and classifications to describe flavor.