Citric Acid in Grocery Products
Citric Acid is an MRT 176 panel substance found in 7,950 of the 20,682 products in our database. Here's every product we've analyzed that contains it.
7,950
Products Found
38.4%
Of All Products
210
Low Risk (0-2)
6,654
High Risk (5+)
Risk Distribution
How products containing Citric Acid break down by total trigger count:
210
2.6%
Low Risk (0-2 triggers)
1,086
13.7%
Moderate (3-4 triggers)
6,654
83.7%
High Risk (5+ triggers)
Citric acid is one of 27 chemical additives tested on the MRT 176 panel, and it is by far the most prevalent. We found it in 38% of all grocery products in our database — that’s nearly 8,000 items.
While citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruits, the citric acid used in food manufacturing is almost exclusively produced through Aspergillus niger fermentation of corn sugar. This means manufactured citric acid may trigger reactions in people sensitive to corn as well as those sensitive to citric acid itself.
Citric acid is used as a preservative, pH adjuster, and flavor enhancer. It appears in beverages, canned goods, condiments, snacks, and even some fresh-cut produce. If citric acid is on your Red list, finding packaged food without it is one of the biggest challenges of the LEAP protocol.
Related Reading
- What Does “Natural Flavors” Actually Mean? — Citric acid is often hidden inside “natural flavors”
- Products with the fewest MRT triggers overall
All Products Containing Citric Acid — Page 147 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Halls Defense Cough Drops Pink Grapefruit 1x30 Pc
Corn, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — LOW FAT YOGURT, ORIGINAL LEMON
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Cane Sugar, Corn, Lemon, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
La Victoria Foods Inc. — MEDIUM THICK'N CHUNKY SLSA VERDE, MEDIUM THICK'N CHUNKY
Onion, Chili Pepper, Garlic, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Coriander/Cilantro
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — STRAWBERRY BANANA FLAVORED JUICE DRINK BLEND FROM CONCENTRATE, STRAWBERRY BANANA
Cane Sugar, Pear, Grape, Citric Acid, Strawberry, Banana
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — S&w, Petite-cut, Tomatoes, Diced with Garlic, Oregano & Basil
Tomato, Garlic, Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Foods-Snack Foods Group — BEEF STEAK, ORIGINAL
Beef, Cane Sugar, Soybean, Wheat, MSG, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Monster Energy Company — Peace Tea, Green Tea
Tea, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Honey
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Bj's Wholesale Club / Corporate Brands — Imported Spanish Queen Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimientos
Olive, Chili Pepper, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Minute Maid Company — Premium Citrus Punch
Fructose, Corn, Orange, Pineapple, Citric Acid, Turmeric
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Dole Packaged Foods, Llc — Cherry Mixed Fruit in 100% Fruit Juice, Cherry Mixed Fruit
Grape, Pineapple, Peach, Pear, Cherry, FD&C Red #3, Lemon, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — Peaches Coconut Water
Peach, Coconut, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Welch's — Sparkling Soda
Fructose, Corn, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, FD&C Red #40, Glycerin/Glycerol
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Tomato Bisque, Tomato
Tomato, Cow's Milk, Corn, Carrot, Cane Sugar, Onion, Basil, Garlic, Citric Acid, Black Pepper, Thyme
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Organic Tempeh Ranchero Squarito Burrito, Tempeh Ranchero
Soybean, Barley, Rice, Millet, Corn, Chili Pepper, Onion, Tomato, Apple, Garlic, Coriander/Cilantro, Lime, Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Wheat, Oat, Rye, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
MIAMI TROPICAL WHOLESALER, INC. — CHILE LIME PLANTAIN STRIPS, CHILE LIME
Citric Acid, Cane Sugar, Chili Pepper, Paprika, Lime, Canola/Rapeseed
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Foods Inc. — Act Ii Butter Lovers Popcorn
Corn, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 2 — Reintroduction / Testing |
|
Clif Bar and Company — Mocha Energy Gel, Mocha
Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Coffee, Caffeine, Tea, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
PREMIUM SWEET ONION SALAD DRESSING
Cane Sugar, Soybean, Corn, Onion, Mustard, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Sour Patch Kids Soft Candy Kids Festive1x3 Oz
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico — Diet Sierra Mist Lemon-lime Flavored Soda (6 - 8 Fl Oz) 48 Fluid Ounce Cans-ia
Citric Acid, Aspartame, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Sour Patch Kids Soft Candy Zombies Fat Freehalloween1x5 Oz
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — Roma Style Tomatoes Sauce with Sea Salt
Tomato, Citric Acid, Onion, Garlic
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Monster Energy Company — Hubert's Lemonade, Diet Lemonade, Strawberry
Lemon, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Strawberry
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — Fruit Snack Cup
Pineapple, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The Coca-cola Company-0049000000016 — Blue Sky Zero Cola Can, 12 Fl Oz
Citric Acid, Corn, Cane Sugar
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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