Citric Acid
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Very limited · How we grade evidence
In plain words: Citric acid is the same acid found in lemons. For food use it's made by fermenting sugar with a mold, then purified so the mold is removed. Apart from four case reports, there's no evidence it causes harm. It can wear on tooth enamel in sour drinks and candy, but it's not a toxin.
Also listed on labels as: Citric acid, E330
What is it, and why is it in food?
Citric acid adds tartness, keeps fruit from browning and helps preserve foods. Your own body makes it every day as part of turning food into energy. It's in candy, soda, chips, canned foods, juices and supplements.
What does the science say?
| The popular claim | "Citric acid is a filler worth avoiding; manufactured citric acid made with black mold causes inflammation." (Dr. Tina Storage mentions citric acid in supplements as something to watch for; the mold claim comes from a 2018 case-report paper and wellness sites, not from her.) |
| Our verdict on that claim | Not supported |
| Evidence strength | Very limited: four case reports, no controlled studies. |
| Kinds of studies | Case reports, regulatory status |
- Inflammation: A 2018 paper described four people with inflammatory symptoms after eating manufactured citric acid. It's a hypothesis with no controlled testing.1
- Teeth: Like other acids, it can soften tooth enamel in frequent sour drinks and candies.
What do regulators say?
- FDA: GRAS, with production by Aspergillus niger fermentation specifically listed.2
- EU: E330, no limit needed.
Who should be careful?
- Anyone who notices a clear reaction should talk to their doctor; reactions are not well documented.
- Teeth: kids who sip sour drinks or suck sour candy often.
How common is it in US foods?
In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 116,366 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name citric acid (about 26.6%, or roughly 1 in 4).3 It shows up most often in: candy (11,324); soda (5,986); chips, pretzels & snacks (4,430); cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes (4,236); ice cream & frozen yogurt (3,735). It's one of the most common additives in the database. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.
Swaps and tips for families
- No swap needed for safety.
- For teeth: drink sour drinks with meals, use a straw, and rinse with water after sour candy.
Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures
Citric acid is used in cleaning products and descalers.
Frequently asked questions
Is citric acid made from black mold?
It's made by fermenting sugar with Aspergillus niger, a mold, and then purified. The finished acid doesn't contain the mold.
Is citric acid bad for you?
No. It's a natural compound your body makes. Evidence of harm is limited to four case reports.
Is citric acid bad for teeth?
In frequent sour drinks and candy, it can soften enamel. Rinse with water and limit sipping.
Related guides
Sources
Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.
- Potential role of the common food additive manufactured citric acid in eliciting significant inflammatory reactions contributing to serious disease states: A series of four case reports. Toxicology reports, 2018. PubMed 30128297 · doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.08.002
- 21 CFR 184.1033 Citric acid. Link
- FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].