Who are we?
Imagine a world where every bite is an explosion of flavours! Taste is a key factor when choosing food. We are like taste magicians, those companies that bring joy to consumers whilst wanting to contribute to a healthy and sustainable food model.
AROMA is the association of producers, importers, or users of flavourings, essences, extracts, and aromatic products active in Belgium. Since 1991, we have been bringing together SMEs, family-owned and large companies around a common mission: to make every meal memorable.
We offer our members regulatory support to navigate ever-evolving legislation. Together, we share our technical expertise to become stronger and build lasting relationships with all actors in the supply chain. Our goal? A perfect understanding of food flavours.
All our members share the same vision: to create indulgent, healthy, safe, and sustainable food for the pleasure of consumers.
Our mission
At AROMA, our mission is clear: we are here to help our members navigate the world of flavours with confidence and knowledge.
1. Regulatory support: We help our members comply with ever-changing legal requirements. Think of us as your compass in the maze of regulations!
2. Sharing technical expertise: Together, we are stronger! We share our technical knowledge so that everyone can shine in the flavour industry.
3. Liaison with stakeholders: We build bridges with other key actors in the food chain to ensure a clear and precise understanding of flavourings and their use.
We are proud to be active members of the European Flavour Association (EFFA) and the Belgian Food Federation (FEVIA). Additionally, we maintain close ties with the International Organization of the Flavour Industry (IOFI), which provides essential scientific data to ensure the safety of flavourings.
Frequently asked questions
What is a flavouring?
Flavourings are ingredients which are added to food to bring specific taste and/ or smell (called organoleptic notes) to your food in very small quantities. Imagine adding a lemon zest to your drink to make it tastier – that's exactly what flavourings do, but on a larger scale.
In English, two almost identical terms are used: "flavour" and "flavouring". What do they mean?
"Flavour" is a perception. It's everything you feel thanks to your senses (taste, smell, hearing, etc.) when you eat or drink.
"Flavouring" is the ingredient that stimulates your senses. In short, "flavour" is the experience, and "flavouring" is the one responsible for that experience!
How do you know if your food has been flavoured?
Easy! Take a look at the label of your food. Look at the back of the packaging, in the list of ingredients. If a flavouring has been added, it will be mentioned. If the flavouring is natural, you will see the word "natural". Regulations ensure that everything is clear and transparent!
Is a flavouring an additive?
No, not at all. Flavourings are not classified as additives. They are considered food ingredients, just like sugar or fruit juices.
Why this website?
Welcome to the fascinating world of flavours! At AROMA, we have in-depth knowledge of flavours and a vast network to provide you with the most reliable information. We are here to guide you in your quest for knowledge. Whether you want to learn more about the heritage of our industry, understand the legislation on flavourings, explore our sustainability initiatives, learn how to read food labels, or answer any other questions... we will always connect you with the most useful, trusted sites.
Each member of our association shares the same goal. Are you curious to know more about them? Here you will discover who they are and what their specialties are.
Our mission is to guide you through your active exploration into the world of flavours. Didn't find what you were looking for? Contact us and we will do our best to help you.
Links of interest
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Want to explore the world of flavourings and discover the industry?
Visit the EFFA website -
Want to know what the industry does to ensure that your flavour is safe?
IOFI safety core-value -
Want to know more about food industry?
Visit FEVIA, the Belgian Food Federation -
Want to know more about what the Belgian Federal Authorities tell about flavourings?
Visit their website
Do you want to know more about our members?
Our members and how to become a member