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 311 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
DIPPITY DOO DAH GARDEN CUCUMBER DIP
Cow's Milk, Soybean, Egg Yolk, Cucumber, Onion, Cane Sugar, Mustard, Garlic, Dill, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream — ORANGE FRUIT JUICE, CHERRY AND GRAPE FRUIT ICE POPS
Corn, Fructose, Cane Sugar, Orange, Apple, Grape, Cherry, Citric Acid, Turmeric, FD&C Red #40, Blue #1
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — ALL-NATURAL TURKEY JERKY, BASIL CITRUS
Turkey, Cane Sugar, Soybean, Garlic, Onion, Lemon, Basil, Citric Acid, Orange, Paprika, Celery
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nestle USA Inc. — CLASSIC FRENCH VANILLA FLAVOR HIGH PROTEIN NUTRITIONAL DRINK, CLASSIC FRENCH VANILLA
Cow's Milk, Whey, Cane Sugar, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Corn, Citric Acid, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Carrageenan, Vanilla
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
McCormick & Company, Inc. — BURGER BUSINESS SALT FREE SEASONING MIX, BURGER BUSINESS
Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, Parsley, Chili Pepper, Coriander/Cilantro, Cane Sugar, Rice, Tomato, Sesame, Citric Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — STRAWBERRY, ORANGE, LEMON LIME, GRAPE GELATIN SNACKS, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE, LEMON LIME, GRAPE
Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grape, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — WHITE CREME & PEANUT BUTTER WHITE EGGS, WHITE CREME & PEANUT BUTTER
Peanut, Cane Sugar, Sunflower, Safflower, Cow's Milk, Corn, Cocoa, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Coumarin/Vanillin, Citric Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Foods-Snack Foods Group — MONSTER SIZE SMOKED SNACK STICK, HOT HABANERO
Beef, Pork, Chicken, Soybean, Corn, Chili Pepper, Paprika, Barley, Malt, Citric Acid, Lecithin (Soy)
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
BLACK CHERRY COTTAGE DOUBLES
Cow's Milk, Cottage Cheese, Whey, Carob, Carrageenan, Cherry, Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills, Inc. — PROGRESSO, RED CLAM SAUCE WITH TOMATO & BASIL
Clam, Tomato, Soybean, Cane Sugar, Corn, Garlic, Onion, Citric Acid, Yeast (Baker's), Basil, Parsley
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
SUGAR FREE POLYNESIAN DIPPING SAUCE
Tomato, Corn, Pineapple, Lemon, Garlic, Onion, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Benzoic Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — FILLED TWISTS, STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
Cane Sugar, Corn, Wheat, Citric Acid, Potato, Glycerin/Glycerol, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Carrageenan, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — BLUE CHEESE ORGANIC DRESSING, BLUE CHEESE
Canola/Rapeseed, Cow's Milk, Cane Sugar, Egg Yolk, Mustard, Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, Lemon, Citric Acid, Corn
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — AMERICA MIX BLACKBERRY, RASPBERRY, STRAWBERRY, YUMBERRY, WILD BERRY BITE SIZE CANDIES, AMERICA MIX
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Tapioca, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue #2, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Raspberry, Strawberry
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — ORGANIC SOUP, SOUTHWESTERN-STYLE BLACK BEAN
Onion, Corn, Tomato, Chili Pepper, Garlic, Coriander/Cilantro, Lime, Cane Sugar, Solanine, Citric Acid, Capsaicin
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars Chocolate North America LLC — WATERMELON, CHERRY, STRAWBERRY FAVEREDS JELLYBEANS, WATERMELON, CHERRY, STRAWBERRY
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Apple, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Blue #1, Watermelon, Cherry, Strawberry
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Quaker Oats Co/golden Grain — WILD MUSHROOM & HERB FLAVOR RICE PILAF MIX, WILD MUSHROOM & HERB
Rice, Mushroom, Garlic, Onion, Cane Sugar, Soybean, Celery, Citric Acid, Corn, Fructose, Yeast (Baker's)
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — Plum Organics Mighty Snack Bars for Toddlers, Pumpkin Banana Fruit Snack Bar, 4 Ounce Box (Pack of 6 Boxes)
Wheat, Oat, Cane Sugar, Sunflower, Pumpkin, Banana, Tapioca, Apple, Glycerin/Glycerol, Corn, Citric Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Tony Chachere's Creole Foods of Opelousas Inc. — Tony Chachere's Creole Butter & Jalapeno Injectable Marinade 17oz.
Soybean, Garlic, Corn, Cow's Milk, Onion, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Chili Pepper, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico Inc. — Sabritas Japanese Peanuts 7Oz Plastic Bag
Peanut, Wheat, Corn, Cane Sugar, Soybean, Chili Pepper, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — LEMONADE ICED TEA FLAVORED HALF & HALF DRINK MIX, LEMONADE ICED TEA
Cane Sugar, Fructose, Citric Acid, Corn, Tea, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Clif Bar and Company — FRUIT THIE SMOOTHIE -FILLED- ORGANIC
Cashew, Sunflower, Oat, Green Pea, Rice, Cane Sugar, Date, Tapioca, Strawberry, Banana, Citric Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — APPLE CINNAMON FLAVORED ORGANIC FRUIT & GRAIN BARS, APPLE CINNAMON
Wheat, Cane Sugar, Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Oat, Honey, Apple, Tapioca, Glycerin/Glycerol, Cinnamon, Citric Acid
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — FILLED TWISTS, STRAWBERRY, LEMONADE
Cane Sugar, Corn, Wheat, Citric Acid, Potato, Glycerin/Glycerol, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Carrageenan, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
EL ORIGINAL TOMATO COCKTAIL
Tomato, Fructose, Corn, MSG, Citric Acid, Onion, Garlic, Clam, FD&C Red #40, Chili Pepper, Capsaicin
|
11 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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