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 317 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Mars Chocolate North America LLC — 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 |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — HEINZ, MUSTARD & PRETZELS DIPPERS
Honey, Mustard, Turmeric, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Egg Yolk, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Wheat, Malt, Canola/Rapeseed, Corn, Soybean, Yeast (Baker's)
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Beyond Meat, Inc. — FEISTY BEYOND BEEF CRUMBLES PLANT-BASED CRUMBLES, FEISTY
Green Pea, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Rice, Tomato, Tapioca, Yeast (Baker's), Lemon, Garlic, Onion, Chili Pepper, Cane Sugar, Paprika, Citric Acid
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — ORIGINAL JELLYBEANS, ORIGINAL
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 |
|
Amy's Kitchen Inc. — MEXICAN INSPIRED ORGANIC VEGGIES & BLACK BEANS WITH RICED CAULIFLOWER IN A CHIPOTLE CASHEW SAUCE
Cauliflower, Corn, Tomato, Solanine, Citric Acid, Onion, Cashew, Lime, Garlic, Coriander/Cilantro, Sunflower, Chili Pepper, Capsaicin, Paprika
|
14 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mars, Inc. — PEACH GUAVA, RASPBERRY, STRAWBERRY BANANA, MANGO, BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE FLAVORS BITE SIZE CANDIES, PEACH GUAVA SMOOTHIE, RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE, MANGO SMOOTHIE, BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE
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, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Banana, Mango, Blueberry
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — REESE'S, MILK CHOCOLATE
Peanut, Cane Sugar, Cow's Milk, Cocoa, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Corn, Sunflower, Safflower, Fructose, Whey, Egg White, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid, Coumarin/Vanillin
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
P. K. Kinder Co., Inc. — GARLIC & HERB NO SALT SEASONING, GARLIC & HERB
Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, Chili Pepper, Rosemary, Mustard, Coriander/Cilantro, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Rice, Sunflower
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — FAST BREAK BAR
Peanut, Cane Sugar, Cow's Milk, Cocoa, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Corn, Sunflower, Safflower, Fructose, Whey, Egg White, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid, Coumarin/Vanillin
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. — Old El Paso Stand 'n Stuff Bold Nacho Cheese Gluten-Free Crunchy Taco Shells
Corn, Whey, Onion, Garlic, MSG, Cane Sugar, Tomato, Citric Acid, American Cheese, Cow's Milk, FD&C Yellow #6, Yeast (Baker's), FD&C Yellow #5, Turmeric, Paprika
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nabisco Biscuit Company — CHEDDAR POTATO AND WHEAT CHIPS CHEESE CRISPERS, CHEDDAR
Potato, Corn, Canola/Rapeseed, Wheat, Cow's Milk, Cane Sugar, Oat, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Yeast (Baker's), Paprika, Citric Acid, Whey, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — SOUTHWEST-STYLE CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP KIT, SOUTHWEST-STYLE CHICKEN TORTILLA
Corn, Tomato, Citric Acid, Onion, Chicken, Cane Sugar, Whey, Yeast (Baker's), Turmeric, Lime, Garlic, Coriander/Cilantro, Chili Pepper, Capsaicin, Solanine
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Campbell Soup Company — HEARTY VEGETABLE BARLEY ORGANIC READY-TO-SERVE SOUP, HEARTY VEGETABLE BARLEY
Barley, Carrot, Celery, Onion, Tomato, Potato, Corn, Green Pea, Green Bean, Cane Sugar, Garlic, Yeast (Baker's), Olive, Citric Acid, Spinach
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — Plum Organics Mighty Snack Bars for Toddlers, Blueberry Fruit Snack Bar, 4 Ounce Box
Oat, Wheat, Cane Sugar, Sunflower, Tapioca, Glycerin/Glycerol, Egg White, Egg Yolk, Vanilla, Coumarin/Vanillin, Apple, Rice, Blueberry, Citric Acid, Cabbage
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — REESE'S, FAST BREAK CANDY, MILK CHOCOLATE, PEANUT BUTTER & NOUGATS, MILK CHOCOLATE, PEANUT BUTTER & NOUGATS
Peanut, Cane Sugar, Cow's Milk, Cocoa, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Corn, Sunflower, Safflower, Fructose, Whey, Egg White, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid, Coumarin/Vanillin
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Hershey Company — CRUNCHY CLUSTERS IN DARK CHOCOLATE, ALMONDS & BERRY
Almond, Cane Sugar, Cocoa, Cow's Milk, Lecithin (Soy), Soybean, Rice, Corn, Tapioca, Fructose, Honey, Citric Acid, Canola/Rapeseed, Cranberry, Blueberry
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Frito-Lay Company — FLAMIN' HOT FLAVOR BEEF JERKY, FLAMIN' HOT
Beef, Cane Sugar, Corn, Soybean, Wheat, MSG, Onion, Garlic, Citric Acid, Tomato, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, Paprika, Chili Pepper, Yeast (Baker's)
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Quaker Oats Company — LOWFAT YOGURT WITH BLUEBERRY
Oat, Cane Sugar, Rice, Barley, Malt, Wheat, Soybean, Lecithin (Soy), Cow's Milk, Whey, Yogurt, Corn, Blueberry, Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY — Campbell's Well Yes! Plant-Based Chick'n With Rice Soup, 16.3 Ounce Can
Carrot, Onion, Celery, Soybean, Wheat, Canola/Rapeseed, Yeast (Baker's), Garlic, Amaranth, Millet, Quinoa, Potato, Cane Sugar, Rice, Citric Acid
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kellogg Company — SWEET BBQ CHIK'N 100% PLANT-BASED PROTEIN TENDERS, SWEET BBQ CHIK'N
Wheat, Soybean, Corn, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Cane Sugar, Tomato, Yeast (Baker's), Onion, Garlic, Citric Acid, Paprika, Apple, Mustard, Turmeric
|
15 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Frito-Lay Company — SWEET SOUTHERN HEAT BBQ FLAVORED CHICHARRONES FRIED PORK SKINS, SWEET SOUTHERN HEAT BBQ
Pork, Cane Sugar, Corn, MSG, Fructose, Yeast (Baker's), Onion, Tomato, Chili Pepper, Paprika, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, Garlic, Honey
|
16 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kellogg Company — SAUSAGE, JUST EGG & VIOLIFE CHEEZE ON A BISCUIT PLANT-BASED SANDWICHES, SAUSAGE, JUST EGG & VIOLIFE CHEEZE
Wheat, Soybean, Corn, Cane Sugar, Yeast (Baker's), Onion, Garlic, Turmeric, Carrot, Citric Acid, Coconut, Potato, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Barley, Malt
|
16 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
RT Wholesale, LLC. — MARKET SALAD
Chicken, Apple, Blueberry, Strawberry, Cow's Milk, Walnut, Almond, Pecan, Sunflower, Lettuce, Soybean, Cane Sugar, Lemon, Onion, Garlic, Citric Acid
|
16 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — BLAZING SKY TRAIL MIX, BLAZING SKY
Almond, Chili Pepper, Citric Acid, Corn, Garlic, Onion, Paprika, Peanut, Potato, Pumpkin, Rice, Soybean, Sunflower, Tomato, Wheat, Cane Sugar
|
16 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Frito-Lay Company — ORGANIC SPICY WHITE CHEDDAR FLAVORED TORTILLA CHIPS, SPICY WHITE CHEDDAR
Corn, Sunflower, Canola/Rapeseed, Safflower, Cow's Milk, Whey, Onion, Garlic, Chili Pepper, Cane Sugar, Tomato, Yeast (Baker's), Citric Acid, Paprika, Capsaicin, Solanine
|
16 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
Search Any Product
Check any grocery product against the full MRT 176 panel — not just Citric Acid.
Open the Food Checker