Citric Acid
What Is Citric Acid?
Citric acid is an organic acid that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits.
In food production, citric acid may also be produced for use as a food ingredient. It is commonly added to foods and beverages because of the different functions it can serve.
Why Is It Used in Food?
Citric acid can serve several purposes depending on the food.
It may be used to:
Add or enhance tart flavor
Control acidity or pH
Help maintain freshness or quality
Support preservation
Help protect flavor or color in certain foods
The FDA lists citric acid among ingredients that may be used for purposes including pH control, flavoring, antioxidant activity, and preservation-related functions.
Where Might You See It?
Citric acid may appear in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including:
Beverages
Fruit products
Sauces and dressings
Candies and other confections
Jams and jellies
Frozen foods
Canned or packaged foods
Its purpose can vary from one product to another.
What to Know
Seeing citric acid in an ingredient list does not necessarily mean that citrus fruit was directly added to the product. Citric acid used as a food ingredient may be produced separately and then added for a specific function.
It is also helpful to remember that the same ingredient can serve more than one purpose in a food. Citric acid might contribute tartness in one product while being used mainly to help manage acidity or product stability in another.
Food Literacy Tip
When you notice an unfamiliar ingredient, try asking:
“What job might this ingredient be doing in this food?”
That question can often be more useful than judging an ingredient based on its name alone.
Explore More Ingredients
Found another ingredient on a food label that you want to understand?
Explore the NCF Ingredient Index to learn what ingredients are, why they may be used in foods, and how they fit into the bigger picture of food information.
Sources
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Types of Food Ingredients — lists citric acid as an example of both a preservative and a pH-control agent/acidulant. It explains that preservatives can help maintain freshness and that pH-control agents help control acidity and alkalinity.
FDA — Types of Food IngredientsSubstances Added to Food: Citric Acid — FDA’s ingredient inventory entry for citric acid. It lists technical functions including pH control, flavoring/flavor enhancement, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial use, and sequestration.
FDA — Citric Acid Ingredient Entry
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Citric Acid and Salts Technical Evaluation Report — provides background on citric acid, including its occurrence in nature, production, and uses in food processing.
USDA — Citric Acid and Salts Technical Evaluation Report
