Natural is a broad term used to describe products that are
minimally processed, and free of synthetic dyes, coloring,
flavorings and preservatives. Products labeled “natural” can
still contain fructose corn syrup and GMOs. The term is largely
unregulated by the USDA. Even meat, poultry, and egg products
can still have antibiotics and growth hormones, and can be fed
on GMO feed. The US FDA has not developed a definition for use
of the term natural or its derivatives.
The USDA says, claims
indicating that a product is natural food, such as “natural
chili” or “chili - a natural product” would be unacceptable for
a product containing beet powder which artificially colors the
finished product. However, “all natural ingredients” might be an
acceptable claim for such a product.
The UK FSA guidance
states: "The term ‘natural’ without qualification should be used
... to describe single foods, of a traditional nature, to which
nothing has been added and which have been subjected only to
such processing as to render them suitable for human
consumption."
Natural or all
natural labels are more marketing than fact based. Naturally,
this is all unnatural label mumbo jumbo that means little, but
makes us feel good.