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.
Risk Distribution
How products containing Citric Acid break down by total trigger count:
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 86 of 318
| Product | Triggers | LEAP Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. — BLACK CHERRY SODA, BLACK CHERRY
Fructose, Corn, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Campbell Soup Company — TRADITIONAL PASTA SAUCE
Tomato, Cane Sugar, Canola/Rapeseed, Onion, Garlic, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mccormick & Company, Inc. — Mojito Lime Marinade
Cane Sugar, Mint/Menthol, Chili Pepper, Capsaicin, Garlic, Onion, Orange, Citric Acid, Lime, Corn
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Monster Energy Company — Hubert's Lemonade, Lemonade, Cherry Limeade
Cane Sugar, Lime, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — 365 Everyday Value, Organic Low Fat Greek Yogurt Dessert Bars, Strawberry
Cow's Milk, Yogurt, Cane Sugar, Strawberry, Whey, Tapioca, Carob, Citric Acid, Beet
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, Inc. — Black Beans Salad
Kidney Bean, Cucumber, Corn, Onion, Sunflower, Olive, Parsley, Garlic, Citric Acid, Black Pepper, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Sara Lee Foods — Sara Lee, Premium Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast
Turkey, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Hormel Foods Corporation — Chi-chi's, Salsa
Tomato, Citric Acid, Onion, Chili Pepper, Corn, Garlic, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Starbucks Coffee Company — Black Tea
Tea, Apple, Cinnamon, Orange, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nestle Waters North America Inc. — Nestea, Red Tea
Fructose, Corn, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Post Foods, Llc — During, Performance Energy Gel
Fructose, Citric Acid, Tea, Caffeine, Benzoic Acid, Corn
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Dole Packaged Foods, Llc — Pineapple, Peach, & Mango in Slightly Sweetened Coconut Water
Coconut, Pineapple, Peach, Mango, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Farms — Quail Eggs Pickled Jalapeno'
Garlic, Chili Pepper, Capsaicin, Solanine, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Tropical Island-inspired Medley of Fruits Including Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Kiwi, Guava & Jackfruit Pacific Rim Dried Fruit Mix
Pineapple, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Dannon Company, Inc. — Lip-smacking Lemon Meringue Flavor Not-so-traditional Blended Greek Yogurt, Lip-smacking Lemon Meringue
Yogurt, Cow's Milk, Cane Sugar, Corn, Lemon, Turmeric, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Nestle Waters North America Inc. — Diet Iced Tea, Lemon
Tea, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Aspartame
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Whole Foods Market, Inc. — Orange Marmalade Fruit Spread, Orange Marmalade
Cane Sugar, Orange, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Foods Inc. — Act Ii Mini Butter Popcorn
Corn, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Conagra Brands — Act Ii Movie Theater Butter, 8.25 Oz
Corn, Cow's Milk, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
General Mills Sales Inc. — Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy White Frosting
Cane Sugar, Corn, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico — Pepsi Cola 7.5 Fluid Ounce Aluminum Can
Fructose, Corn, Cane Sugar, Caffeine, Citric Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico — Diet Sierra Mist 12 Fluid Ounce Aluminum Can-ia
Citric Acid, Aspartame, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Pepsico — Diet Sierra Mist 20 Fl Oz Plastic Bottle-ia
Citric Acid, Aspartame, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
The Coca-cola Company-0049000000016 — Diet Barq's Root Beer Bottle, 2 Liters
Aspartame, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
|
Mondelez Int. Us (0074819091009) — Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil 1x13.000 Oz
Wheat, Soybean, Canola/Rapeseed, Black Pepper, Onion, Garlic, Olive, Citric Acid, Celery
|
6 | Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided |
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