Paleo Foundation
  • Certification
    • Get Started
    • Applications
      • Paleo
      • Keto
      • Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto
      • Paleo + Grain-Free
      • Keto + Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto + Grain-Free
    • Standards
      • Certified Paleo Standards
      • Keto Certified Standards
      • Grain-Free Standards
  • Certified Brands
  • Research Library
  • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • Announcements
    • Business
    • Ingredients
    • Paleo Diet
      • Recipes
    • Keto Diet
    • Grain-Free
    • Microbiome
    • Espanol
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • FAQs

Banana Essence or Banana Flavoring: Is it Paleo?

Isoamyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild alcohol odor.  It is less dense than water and water soluble, so it floats on water.  Manufacturing isoamyl alcohol involves fractional distillation from light petroleum. 

It is mainly used as a food additive specifically for the production of the organic compound Isoamyl Acetate, which is also known as Banana Essence or banana flavor concentrate. 

What is Banana Essence?

Banana Essence is an ester formed from combining isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid. Its strong odor has been likened to bananas and pears. The product sold in stores are either pure isoamyl acetate or a mixture of isoamyl acetate and other flavors. The resulting product can also be used in fragrances, cleaning and furnishing products, and laundry powders and gels.

Why is Banana Essence used in foods?

These compounds are used mainly to give processed foods a banana flavor and are listed as an “artificial flavor.” This banana flavor is concentrated, so you would only need a few ml/kg of food product to produce an effect.  The low amount required often makes banana essence a financially practical choice for banana flavor. 

However, these products often have intense vapors that could harm those with a history of chronic respiratory, skin, kidney, or liver disease if exposed for prolonged periods without proper gear.  Some symptoms of vapor toxicity include burning sensations in the nose and throat, headache, sweating, weakness, vomiting, and even unconsciousness.

Is Banana Essence Paleo?

There really isn’t much concern when it comes to how much of the compounds are used in everyday products.  The amount is too small to cause any real harm in the body unless someone consumes the entire bottle which is highly unlikely for a grown adult.

However, since these compounds are produced artificially, some would say it would be better to just add a real banana or just avoid them entirely when it comes to Paleo recipes and products.  Banana essence or artificial banana flavoring is not allowed in Certified Paleo products, however, banana extracts derived from bananas, are. 


References:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=31276, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/31276 (accessed Oct. 5, 2018).

2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=31260, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/31260 (accessed Oct. 5, 2018).

3. Isoamyl alcohol W205702. Sigma-Aldrich. https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/w205702?lang=en&region=PH. Published 2018. Accessed October 5, 2018.

Comments

comments

Previous article Gum Arabic: Everything You Need to Know
Next article 3 Foods You Should and Shouldn’t Eat on a Keto Diet

Similar posts from related categories

Gum Arabic: Everything You Need to Know

Gum Arabic: Everything You Need to Know

Is Allulose Keto or Paleo Friendly?

Is Allulose Keto or Paleo Friendly?

Is propylene glycol alginate a safe food additive?

Is propylene glycol alginate a safe food additive?

Are White Potatoes Paleo? Consideration and Deliberation for Certified Paleo Standards

Are White Potatoes Paleo? Consideration and Deliberation for Certified Paleo Standards

Health Benefits of Coffee You Might Not Have Known

Health Benefits of Coffee You Might Not Have Known

What is Gluten?

What is Gluten?

Complete List of Grains and Pseudograins

Complete List of Grains and Pseudograins

Is Guar Gum Keto?

Is Guar Gum Keto?

No Comments Yet!

You can be first to leave a comment

Post Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Latests News

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

November 30, 2020 0
Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

November 13, 2020 0
4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

November 11, 2020 0
Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

0
Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

October 21, 2020 0
Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

0
30
Nov 06:04

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

13
Nov 08:19

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

11
Nov 01:41

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

27
Oct 14:14

Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

21
Oct 03:24

Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

30
Sep 06:28

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

  1. Announcements
  2. Business
  3. Case Studies
  4. Case Study
  5. Commentary
  6. Discussion
  7. Espanol
  8. Fitness
  9. Grain-Free
  10. Health
  11. Ingredients
  12. Interviews
  13. Keto Diet
  1. Methodology
  2. Microbiome
  3. Misc.
  4. News
  5. Opinion
  6. Paleo Diet
  7. Philosophy
  8. Products
  9. Recipes
  10. Research
  11. Sustainability
  12. Thanksgiving

Popular Posts

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

August 14, 2018 0
What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

August 11, 2018 10
19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

May 9, 2016 36
Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

October 11, 2016 21
Interview with Alan Aragon Paleo Critic

Interview with Alan Aragon Paleo Critic

September 20, 2014 288
alcohol 4
breakfast 15
Business 2
case study 24
Certification 2
community 5
desserts 29
Diet 8
fall 30
Grain Free Diet 1
health 36
holiday season 10
Interviews 5
keto certification 1
keto vegan 1
main 25
Opinion 4
PCR 2
Philosophy 5
Popular 12
PRR 1
sides 16
Sustainability 6
trade news 1
why get certified 10
© 2021 Copyright Paleo Foundation. All Rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Report an Infringement
Close Window

Loading, Please Wait!

This may take a second or two. Loading, Please Wait!