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 82 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Dole Packaged Foods Company — MANDARIN ORANGES IN 100% FRUIT JUICE
Orange, Pineapple, Grape, Apple, Lemon, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Coca-cola Company-0049000000016 — Fanta Grape Soda Bottle, 12 Fl Oz
Fructose, Corn, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kraft Heinz Foods Company — MACARONI & CHEESE CRAZY BUGS DINNER, MACARONI & CHEESE
Wheat, Whey, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Yellow #6
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mccormick & Company, Inc. — Lcing Red
Cane Sugar, Soybean, Corn, FD&C Red #40, Citric Acid, Lecithin (Soy), FD&C Red #3
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The J.M. Smucker Company — PILLSBURY, CREAMY SUPREME, FLAVORED FROSTING, CHOCOLATE CHERRY, CHOCOLATE CHERRY
Cane Sugar, Corn, Cocoa, Caffeine, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Market Pantry — Mixed Berry Fruit-flavored Snacks
Corn, Cane Sugar, Apple, Pork, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The J.M. Smucker Company — PEANUT BUTTER & STRAWBERRY JELLY STRIPS
Peanut, Strawberry, Corn, Fructose, Soybean, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Organic Three Bean Chili
Tomato, Citric Acid, Navy Bean, Kidney Bean, Potato, Corn, Celery, Onion, Chili Pepper, Garlic, Cumin, Solanine, Capsaicin
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Daiya Foods Inc. — Classic Blend Special Blend Cheddar & Mozzarella
Tapioca, Canola/Rapeseed, Safflower, Coconut, Green Pea, Yeast (Baker's), Glycerin/Glycerol, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Blue Bell Creameries, Inc. — BANANA FLAVORED QUIESCENTLY FROZEN CONFECTIONS POPS, BANANA
Cane Sugar, Corn, Fructose, Citric Acid, Carrageenan, FD&C Yellow #5
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
P. K. Kinder Co., Inc. — Rub
Onion, Corn, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Red Bull North America, Inc. — Red Bull, Total Zero, the Cherry Edition Energy Drink, Wild Cherry
Citric Acid, Caffeine
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Lipton, Sweetened Iced Tea Mix, Half Lemonade Flavor with Other Natural Flavor & Half Iced Tea, Half Lemonade Flavor with Other Natural Flavor & Half Iced Tea
Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Tea, Lemon, Carrot
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Starbucks Coffee Company — Gummy Candy
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Clif Bar and Company — Organic Tart Cherry Berry Fruit Smoothie Filled Energy Bar
Oat, Cashew, Sunflower, Rice, Green Pea, Date, Cane Sugar, Tapioca, Glycerin/Glycerol, Pumpkin, Cherry, Cranberry, Citric Acid, Lime
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Quaker Oats Co./gatorade-van Camp — Orange Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Powder, Orange
Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6
|
6 | Phase 2 — Reintroduction (Caution) |
|
The Quaker Oats Co./gatorade-van Camp — Mixed Berry Hydration with Electrolytes Drink, Mixed Berry
Cane Sugar, Watermelon, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nestle Dreyer's Ice Cream — Fruit Bars, Black Cherry
Cherry, Cane Sugar, Grape, Citric Acid, Carob
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kellogg Company Us — Kellogg's Fruit Pieces Non-licensed Strawberry 17.6oz
Corn, Cane Sugar, Apple, Citric Acid, FD&C Red #40
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Kellogg Company Us — Kellogg's Fruit Pieces Disney Dory 64oz
Corn, Cane Sugar, Apple, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Brands — Hunts Petite Diced Tomatoes, 28 Oz
Tomato, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 2 — Reintroduction |
|
The Coca-cola Company-0049000000016 — Sprite Can, 12 Fl Oz
Fructose, Corn, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Brands — Act Ii Kickin Jalapeno Popcorn, 8.25 Oz
Corn, Whey, Chili Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Paprika, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Sour Patch Soft Candy Bunnies Fat Freeeaster12x9.5 Oz
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico — Brisk Lemonade Juice Drink 20 Fluid Ounce Plastic Bottle
Corn, Fructose, Citric Acid, Lemon, Benzoic Acid, Glycerin/Glycerol, FD&C Yellow #5
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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