What is "Natural Flavor?"

I'm drinking a bottle of some 100% FRUIT & VEGETABLE JUICE (blend of from concentrate and not from concentrate juices). I was reading the ingredients label and the last thing listed is "natural flavor" I see i t listed on everything. I'm just wondering, what the hell does natural flavor mean?

I think it's just an additive to the food that's supposed to enhance flavor.

Not artificial: extracted from bio. sources, not whipped up in a flask. cn

tehgenoc1de said:

Both natural and artificial flavors are "man-made", or manufactured. The difference is, essentially, in which chemicals are used in the process. For "natural" flavors, alcohol or oil extracted flavors are generally permitted, and heat or enzymes can be used to extract the flavors. For "artificial" flavors, solvents with a shorter history, created since the industrial age, and petroleum products may be involved. But either way, "flavors" are just chemicals, or mixes of chemicals. The rules that define the differences are fairly arbitrary. The same companies that make artificial flavors and fragrances make "natural" ones.​

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At least cite your source

I googled a key phrase and found this:

http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/17401/what-are-the-natural-flavors-in-a-fruit-drink-that-contains-no-juice

cn

I knew it couldn't be anything natural when it gets listed in such a shady manner.

here is a short list of some examples of natural flavors. #2 explains what "natural flavor" is supposed to mean.

http://www.cracked.com/article_15982_5-horrifying-food-additives-youve-probably-eaten-today.html