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 260 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Unilever Bestfoods North America — Avocado Vegan Mayo, Avocado Vegan
Avocado, Lime, Coconut, Rosemary, Sunflower, Black Pepper, Citric Acid, Mustard
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mondelez International, Inc. — Tropical Twist Sugar Free Gum, Tropical Twist
Malt, Aspartame, Citric Acid, Glycerin/Glycerol, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Brands, Inc — David Sour Cream & Onion Jumbo Sunflower Seeds, Keto Friendly Snack, 5.25 Oz. Resealable Bag
Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Onion, Cow's Milk, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Parsley
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Starbucks Coffee Company — Sugar-free Vanilla Syrup, Vanilla
Citric Acid, Corn
|
8 | Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Trident Gum Bubblegum Sugar Free1x14 Pc
Glycerin/Glycerol, Aspartame, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Classic Vegan Mayo
Sunflower, Lemon, Coconut, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Citric Acid, Mustard
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Organic Lollipops
Cane Sugar, Rice, Citric Acid, Beet, Strawberry, Radish, Apple, Grape
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Yoplait USA — STRAWBERRY BANANA APPLE SMOOTHIE YOGURT & FRUIT BLENDED BOWL, STRAWBERRY BANANA APPLE
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Cane Sugar, Strawberry, Banana, Apple, Corn, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Classico — Organic Pizza Sauce
Tomato, Citric Acid, Cane Sugar, Olive, Garlic
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Dannon Company, Inc. — Divine Key Lime Pie Dairy-free Yogurt Alternative, Divine Key Lime Pie
Coconut, Cane Sugar, Lime, Rice, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — LEMONADE DRINK, LEMON
Cane Sugar, Fructose, Citric Acid, Corn, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, FD&C Yellow #5, Lemon
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — MIXED BERRY PROTEIN DRINK MIX, MIXED BERRY
Whey, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid, Aspartame, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Minute Maid Company — SIMPLY, JUICE DRINK, MIXED BERRY, MIXED BERRY
Cane Sugar, Fructose, Apple, Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — LIGHT NON FAT YOGURT, STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Strawberry, Corn, Fructose, Citric Acid, Aspartame, FD&C Red #40
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsi-Cola North America Inc. — BAJA BLAST TROPICAL LIME SODA, BAJA BLAST, TROPICAL LIME
Corn, Fructose, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Caffeine, Cane Sugar, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — MANGO PASSION FRUIT GELATIN DESSERT MIX, MANGO PASSION FRUIT
Cane Sugar, Beef, Pork, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Mango
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Organic Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Cane Sugar, Strawberry, Banana, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills Sales Inc. — Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomato Organic Pasta Sauce
Tomato, Onion, Olive, Garlic, Basil, Oregano, Citric Acid, Black Pepper, Thyme
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Campbell Soup Company — Plum Organics, Shredz, Organic Fruit & Veggie Snacks for Kids, Rooty Blues, Rooty Blues
Apple, Carrot, Pumpkin, Blueberry, Cherry, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — V8 ENGY SPKLG ORNG PINEAPL 11.5FO
Sweet Potato, Carrot, Apple, Orange, Pineapple, Citric Acid, Tea, Caffeine
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Frito-Lay Company — LAY'S, AIR POPS, SALT & VINEGAR, SALT & VINEGAR
Potato, Corn, Cane Sugar, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid, Sunflower
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Foods-Snack Foods Group — PREMIUM SMOKED STICKS, MEMPHIS STYLE BBQ SEASONED
Beef, Pork, Chicken, Soybean, Corn, Cane Sugar, Paprika, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico Inc. — Tropicana Farmstand Pomegranate Blueberry 100% Fruit & Vegetable Juice 12 Fluid Ounce Plastic Bottle
Sweet Potato, Carrot, Beet, Apple, Blueberry, Grape, Plum, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Yoplait USA — PEACH MANGO PINEAPPLE FLAVORS YOGURT SMOOTHIE, PEACH MANGO PINEAPPLE
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Cane Sugar, Peach, Pineapple, Mango, Corn, Citric Acid
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — RED CHERRY, WHITE GRAPE, BLUE RASPBERRY FLAVORED AMERICA MIX GUMMES, RED CHERRY, WHITE GRAPE, BLUE RASPBERRY
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, Blue #1, Cherry, Grape, Raspberry
|
8 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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