: Products must be free of artificial colors, flavors, or synthetic substances.

While definitions vary by agency and country, "natural" foods generally share these key features:

: The food is processed in a way that does not fundamentally alter the product from its original biological state.

The specific requirements for using the "natural" label depend on which federal agency oversees the product: Use of the Term Natural on Food Labeling - FDA

: Ingredients like flavorings must be derived from real plant or animal sources, such as spices, fruits, vegetables, meats, or dairy. Regulatory Differences (U.S.)

: Marketing often emphasizes a short list of recognizable ingredients, avoiding complex chemical names (e.g., using "baking soda" instead of "sodium bicarbonate").