What is Savory, Summer?
Savory, Summer (Satureja hortensis L.) is a natural flavoring ingredient derived from the summer savory plant, an herbaceous annual plant native to the Mediterranean region. The additive carries the CAS number 977051-98-1 and is classified as a flavoring agent or adjuvant. It is obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of the plant and used to provide characteristic savory, slightly peppery, and herbaceous flavor notes to food and beverage products.
Common Uses
Summer savory flavoring is employed in the food industry primarily as a seasoning component in processed foods, beverages, sauces, and condiments. It is commonly found in dried herb blends, spice mixtures, and culinary preparations where herbaceous, savory notes are desired. The ingredient is particularly valued in European cuisines and Mediterranean-inspired food products. Food manufacturers use it to enhance flavor profiles in soups, stews, meat products, and vegetable preparations without adding sodium or artificial flavoring compounds.
Safety Assessment
The safety profile of summer savory flavoring appears favorable based on available data. According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with this additive, and zero recalls have been issued. The ingredient has a long history of culinary use in traditional Mediterranean cooking, which provides additional evidence of safe consumption at typical food flavoring levels.
As a plant-derived flavoring, summer savory contains naturally occurring volatile compounds including carvacrol, thymol, and other monoterpenes that contribute to its sensory properties. These compounds are generally recognized as safe constituents in food when used at appropriate levels. The absence of adverse event reports and recalls suggests that current usage levels in food products do not present identified safety concerns for the general population.
Regulatory Status
Summer savory flavoring has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, which means it has not completed the formal GRAS determination process. However, this classification does not indicate that the ingredient is unsafe; rather, it reflects the regulatory pathway or lack of formal petition submission to the FDA for GRAS status. The ingredient remains permitted for use as a flavoring agent under FDA regulations governing natural flavoring substances.
Under FDA regulations (21 CFR Part 182), natural flavor extracts and their components may be used in food without prior FDA approval if they meet established safety standards for flavoring agents. Summer savory, as a traditionally used culinary herb, generally falls within the regulatory framework for natural flavorings.
Key Studies
While specific toxicological studies focused exclusively on summer savory flavoring as a food additive are limited in published literature, the ingredient's safety is supported by its extensive historical use in food preparation across Mediterranean cultures. The volatile oil components of summer savory have been subject to chemical analysis and compositional studies in botanical literature, confirming its characteristic flavor compounds.
The absence of reported adverse events and recalls provides real-world evidence of safety in commercial food applications. For consumers with concerns about specific health conditions or those taking medications, consultation with healthcare providers regarding dietary herb exposure remains prudent general practice, though summer savory at typical food flavoring concentrations is not associated with documented interactions.