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 316 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
IMPORTED FILLED FRUITS CANDY
Cane Sugar, Corn, Apple, Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Citric Acid, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Blue #1
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Quaker Oats Company — STRAWBERRIES & CREAM FLAVOR INSTANT OATMEAL, STRAWBERRIES & CREAM
Oat, Cane Sugar, Corn, Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Whey, Cow's Milk, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Apple, FD&C Red #40, Strawberry, Citric Acid
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
McCormick & Company, Inc. — RANCH CRISPY FRIED JALAPENOS, RANCH
Chili Pepper, Wheat, Sunflower, Safflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Cane Sugar, Corn, Cow's Milk, Whey, Garlic, Onion, Yeast (Baker's), Citric Acid
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — CHERRY, ORANGE, STRAWBERRY & LEMON ORIGINAL FRUIT CHEWS, CHERRY, ORANGE, STRAWBERRY & LEMON
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Tapioca, Apple, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1, Cherry, Orange, Strawberry, Lemon
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
McCormick & Company, Inc. — HERB BUTTER SPEEDY SIDES SEASONING MIX KIT
Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, Oregano, Basil, Corn, Cane Sugar, Whey, Cow's Milk, Yeast (Baker's), Citric Acid, Turmeric, Lemon
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — WY SIP HARV CAR & GING 11.1 OZ
Carrot, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Corn, Ginger, Cabbage, Celery, Onion, Lemon, Garlic, Citric Acid, Cinnamon, Black Pepper
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Quaker Oats Company — DILL PICKLE RICE CRISPS, DILL PICKLE
Rice, Corn, Wheat, Sunflower, Cane Sugar, Whey, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid, Onion, Yeast (Baker's), Garlic, Dill, Cucumber
|
13 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Campbell Soup Company — PLUM ORGANICS, ORGANIC VEGGIE CHILI
Kidney Bean, Tomato, Citric Acid, Corn, Onion, Quinoa, Tapioca, Chili Pepper, Coriander/Cilantro, Cumin, Oregano, Garlic, Solanine, Capsaicin
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — CPB HS HR HARV TOM W BAS 18.7 OZ
Tomato, Cane Sugar, Corn, Canola/Rapeseed, Soybean, Wheat, Whey, Cow's Milk, Basil, Onion, Garlic, Citric Acid, Celery, Yeast (Baker's)
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — POTATO & GREEN CHILI ORGANIC SQUARITO BURRITO, POTATO & GREEN CHILI
Wheat, Soybean, Pinto Bean, Potato, Chili Pepper, Onion, Corn, Sunflower, Citric Acid, Garlic, Black Pepper, Cumin, Coriander/Cilantro, Oregano
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — GRAPE-ADE, TROPICAL CHERRY SPLASH, RAZZIN' WATERMELON, STRAPPLEBERRY, PEACH-A-PALOOZA, BANANA BERRY BLAST DUOS JELLY BEANS, GRAPE-ADE, TROPICAL CHERRY SPLASH, RAZZIN' WATERMELON, STRAPPLEBERRY, PEACH-A-PALOOZA, BANANA BERRY BLAST
Grape, Cherry, Watermelon, Strawberry, Apple, Peach, Banana, Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Blue #1
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — MILK CHOCOLATE, PEANUT BUTTER & CRISPY WAFERS STICKS
Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Cow's Milk, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Peanut, Wheat, Corn, Sunflower, Safflower, Whey, Yeast (Baker's), Citric Acid, Coumarin/Vanillin
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — ORIGINAL PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE, ORIGINAL PINEAPPLE
Cane Sugar, Wheat, Pineapple, Egg White, Egg Yolk, Soybean, Cherry, Corn, Fructose, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, Whey, Lecithin (Soy), FD&C Yellow #5
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, GREEN APPLE, LEMON, ORANGE ORIGINAL BITE SIZE CANDIES, STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, GREEN APPLE, LEMON, ORANGE
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Tapioca, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue #2, Strawberry, Grape, Apple, Lemon, Orange
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills, Inc. — CURLY FETTUCCINE WITH WHITE CHEDDAR & BROCCOLI SAUCE
Wheat, Whey, Corn, Broccoli, Cane Sugar, Cow's Milk, Onion, Garlic, Canola/Rapeseed, Soybean, Sunflower, Citric Acid, Yeast (Baker's), Parsley
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — PLANT-BASED PHILLY CHEESESTEAK WITH BELL PEPPERS & ONIONS VEGETARIAN POCKET PIES, PLANT-BASED PHILLY CHEESESTEAK WITH BELL PEPPERS & ONIONS
Wheat, Barley, Malt, White Potato, Cane Sugar, Canola/Rapeseed, Yeast (Baker's), Soybean, Solanine, Onion, Coconut, Citric Acid, Corn, Garlic
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — MIXED BERRY FLAVORED ORGANIC FRUIT & GRAIN BARS, MIXED BERRY
Wheat, Cane Sugar, Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Oat, Apple, Rice, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid, Honey, Cabbage
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Frito-Lay Company — ORGANIC ZESTY QUESO FLAVORED WHOLE GRAIN SNACKS, ZESTY QUESO
Corn, Wheat, Sunflower, Oat, Rice, Cane Sugar, Cow's Milk, Onion, Garlic, Whey, Tomato, Citric Acid, Paprika, Chili Pepper
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills, Inc. — ORGANIC CHEDDAR SNACK MIX
Wheat, Sunflower, Corn, Cane Sugar, Whey, Barley, Malt, Cow's Milk, Onion, Garlic, Celery, Yeast (Baker's), Paprika, Citric Acid
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nestle USA Inc. — SAUSAGE SUPREME ITALIAN SAUSAGE, GREEN & RED BELL PEPPERS, ONIONS GLUTEN FREE ULTRA THIN PIZZA, SAUSAGE SUPREME
Cow's Milk, Pork, Tomato, Rice, Tapioca, Corn, Potato, Onion, Soybean, Yeast (Baker's), Garlic, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — BLUEBERRY FLAVORED ORGANIC FRUIT & GRAIN CEREAL BARS, BLUEBERRY
Wheat, Cane Sugar, Oat, Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Apple, Rice, Corn, Blueberry, Tapioca, Citric Acid, Glycerin/Glycerol, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, LEMON, ORANGE, APPLE SOUR GUMMIES CANDY, STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, LEMON, ORANGE, APPLE
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Tapioca, Strawberry, Grape, Lemon, Orange, Apple, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue #2
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
PepsiCo, Inc. (CytoSport) — MIXED BERRY PLANT-BASED PROTEIN & GREENS FRUIT & VEGETABLE POWDER DRINK MIX, MIXED BERRY
Beet, Blueberry, Broccoli, Cane Sugar, Carrot, Citric Acid, Cranberry, Green Pea, Raspberry, Rice, Spinach, Strawberry, Sunflower, Tomato
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — ORIGINAL CHERRY, ORANGE, STRAWBERRY, LEMON, GREEN APPLE & GRAPE JELLYBEANS, ORIGINAL CHERRY, ORANGE, STRAWBERRY, LEMON, GREEN APPLE & GRAPE
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, Tapioca, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6, Blue #1, Apple, Orange, Lemon, Strawberry, Grape, Cherry
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills, Inc. — FRUIT SNACKS VARIETY PACK, SUNNY CITRUS, BERRY PATCH, TROPICAL TREAT, SUMMER STRAWBERRY
Corn, Cane Sugar, Pear, Apple, Strawberry, Grape, Fructose, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid, Carrageenan, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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