What is Haw Bark, Black, Extract?
Haw Bark, Black, Extract (CAS Number: 84929-54-4) is a flavoring substance derived from the bark of Viburnum prunifolium L., a deciduous shrub native to North America. The extract is obtained through processing the dried bark material to concentrate its flavor compounds. As a botanical extract, it falls within the category of natural flavoring agents used in food manufacturing. The substance is typically supplied as a concentrated extract form that can be incorporated into various food and beverage formulations.
Common Uses
Haw Bark, Black, Extract functions primarily as a flavoring agent in the food industry. Its applications include use in beverages, confectionery products, and other food formulations where a distinctive herbal or botanical flavor profile is desired. The extract may be used in traditional or specialty food products that emphasize natural or botanically-derived ingredients. As with other plant-based flavoring agents, the extract is typically used in small quantities to achieve the desired flavor impact in final food products. The substance serves as both a flavoring agent and flavoring adjuvant, meaning it can both contribute flavor directly and enhance or modify other flavor characteristics in food systems.
Safety Assessment
Based on available FDA data, there have been zero recorded adverse events and zero recalls associated with Haw Bark, Black, Extract. This absence of reported safety incidents suggests a history of safe use in food applications where the substance has been employed. However, it is important to note that this additive is not included on the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list, which means it has not undergone the formal GRAS determination process. The lack of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern but rather reflects the regulatory pathway and approval status of the substance.
Like all botanical extracts, the safety profile of Haw Bark, Black, Extract depends on proper processing, purity, quality control, and appropriate usage levels in food formulations. The absence of reported adverse events and recalls provides some empirical reassurance regarding its use in food products to date. However, comprehensive toxicological data specifically evaluating this extract at the levels used in food applications would provide additional safety confirmation.
Regulatory Status
Haw Bark, Black, Extract does not hold FDA GRAS status. This means the substance is not presumed safe for use in food without further regulatory approval or documentation. In the United States, food additives that are not GRAS-designated may still be used in foods under specific conditions, such as if they have been approved through the Food Additive Petition process or if they meet other regulatory pathways. The regulatory classification of this substance may vary by country and jurisdiction. Other regulatory bodies, including those in the European Union and other nations, maintain different approval lists and may have different safety assessments or permitted uses for this botanical extract.
Key Studies
Specific published scientific studies focused exclusively on Haw Bark, Black, Extract safety and functionality in food applications appear limited in the readily available literature. Research on Viburnum prunifolium L. and its traditional uses exists within ethnobotanical and herbal medicine contexts, though such applications differ from food flavoring use and dosages. The zero adverse event reports to the FDA suggest that where this substance has been used in food products, it has not generated documented safety concerns that triggered regulatory reporting. Additional controlled studies examining the extract's chemical composition, sensory properties, and safety at food-use levels would strengthen the evidence base for this flavoring agent. Interested parties may consult the FDA's Color Additives Status List and Food Additive regulations for current regulatory information and any recent updates regarding this substance.