Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which food products may contain essential oils as flavorings?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Essential oils are highly volatile substances isolated from plants that serve as concentrated sources of flavor and aroma. Because they capture the essence of the plant's scent and taste, they are widely used as flavoring agents in a variety of food products.

According to the essential oil entry, these oils are commonly found in the following food items:

  • Bakery goods
  • Candies and confections
  • Meat products
  • Pickles
  • Soft drinks

In addition to these, essential oils are used in many other food products to provide characteristic flavors derived from their botanical sources.1