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
All Products Containing Citric Acid — Page 5 of 318
| Product |
Triggers |
LEAP Phase |
|
Monster Energy Company — NATURAL CANE SODA
Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Monster Energy Company — PREMIUM DIET SODA
Citric Acid, Caffeine
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The Quaker Oats Co./gatorade-Van Camp — WATER BEVERAGE WITH ELECTROLYTES
Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC — PINEAPPLE SLICES
Pineapple, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — STRAWBERRY KIWI FLAVOR ON-THE-GO NATURALLY SWEETENED DRINK MIX, STRAWBERRY KIWI
Citric Acid, Strawberry
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — WHOLE PEELED TOMATOES, TOMATOES
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Pepsico Inc. — Tropicana Pure Premium No Pulp Calcium + Vitamin D Orange Juice 89 Fluid Ounce Plastic Bottle
Orange, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Pepsi-Cola North America Inc. — TAMARIND SODA, TAMARIND, TAMARIND
Fructose, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — ORGANIC VINE-RIPENED PETITE DICED TOMATOES
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
TONIC WATER MIXER
Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Conagra Brands, Inc. — DICED TOMATOES, DICED
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The Quaker Oats Co./gatorade-Van Camp — ZERO SUGAR THIRST QUENCHER
Citric Acid, Blue #1
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — 100% JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE, WHITE GRAPE
Grape, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Pepsico Inc. — Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice 10 Fluid Ounce Plastic Bottle
Grapefruit, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — DICED TOMATOES
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Hormel Foods Corporation — GREEN CHILIES
Chili Pepper, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Kinderfarms LLC — MEDICAL GRADE ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION, STRAWBERRY
Corn, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Pepsico Inc. — Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium+Vitamin D No Pulp 100% Pure Orange Juice 59 Fluid Ounce Plastic Bottle
Orange, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The J.M. Smucker Company — CRISCO, BAKING STICKS, ALL-VEGETABLE SHORTENING
Soybean, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Del Monte Foods Inc. — ORGANIC DICED
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
ConAgra Foods Inc. — ACT II Butter Lovers Popcorn
Corn, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction / Testing |
|
Conagra Brands, Inc. — POPCORN
Corn, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Pepsi-Cola North America Inc. — SODA, LEMON-LIME
Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The J.M. Smucker Company — ALL-VEGETABLE SHORTENING BAKING STICK
Soybean, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
Conagra Brands, Inc. — SAUCE, TOMATOES
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
2 |
Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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