E330

Citric Acid

Natural Preservative from Citrus Fruits

What is E330 (Citric Acid)?

E330 is citric acid, a weak organic acid naturally present in citrus fruits.

Natural Occurrence:

• Lemons – 6-8% citric acid by weight
• Limes – 5-6% citric acid
• Oranges – 1% citric acid
• Grapefruits – 1.5-2% citric acid
• Berries (strawberries, raspberries) – small amounts

Your body produces citric acid naturally as part of the Krebs cycle (cellular energy production).

How Commercial Citric Acid is Made:

Modern method (95% of production): Fermentation of sugar using Aspergillus niger mold

• Feed sugar (from corn, molasses, or sugar cane) to the mold
• Mold produces citric acid naturally as a metabolic byproduct
• Extract and purify – result is chemically identical to lemon citric acid

Old method (rare now): Extraction from lemon juice (expensive, wasteful)

Why Citric Acid is Used:

• Preservative – prevents bacterial/mold growth (lowers pH)
• Antioxidant – stops fruit from browning (sliced apples, guacamole)
• Flavour enhancer – adds tangy, sour taste
• Acidity regulator – balances pH in foods
• Chelating agent – binds to metals, improves texture/stability

Where is Citric Acid Found?

Drinks (Very Common):

• Soft drinks (Sprite, 7UP, Fanta – orange/lemon sodas)
• Energy drinks
• Flavoured water
• Fruit juices (especially bottled)
• Sports drinks
• Iced tea

Processed Foods:

• Sweets and candies (sour sweets especially)
• Jams and preserves
• Ice cream and sorbet
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Ready meals
• Salad dressings and sauces
• Cheese (prevents mold)

Fresh Foods (Pre-cut):

• Pre-cut fruit salads – prevents browning
• Guacamole – keeps avocado green
• Sliced apples

Non-Food Uses:

• Cleaning products (descaling, limescale removal)
• Cosmetics and skincare (exfoliant, pH adjuster)
• Bath bombs (reacts with baking soda)
• Medications (effervescent tablets)

Is Citric Acid Safe? What Science Says

✅ Completely Safe – Strongest Evidence:

• No ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) limit – considered so safe no limit is needed
• EFSA (EU): "No safety concerns" – approved for unlimited use
• FDA (US): "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) since 1979
• WHO/FAO: "No adverse effects observed" at any intake level
• No cancer risk – extensive testing found zero carcinogenic effects
• No reproductive toxicity
• No genotoxicity (DNA damage)
• No allergic reactions – extremely rare to be allergic

✅ Body Produces It Naturally:

Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle): Your cells produce citric acid continuously as part of energy metabolism.

• Essential for life – every cell makes citric acid
• Consumed citric acid is metabolized normally like any dietary acid
• No accumulation – body breaks it down rapidly

⚠️ Only Concern: Tooth Enamel Erosion

The only documented health issue with citric acid is dental erosion from acidic drinks:

Mechanism:

• Acidic drinks (pH 2.5-3.5) soften tooth enamel
• Repeated exposure wears enamel away over time
• Citric acid specifically shown to erode enamel faster than phosphoric acid (cola)

High-Risk Drinks:

• Lemon water (if sipped constantly throughout day)
• Orange/lemon sodas (Fanta, Sprite)
• Sports drinks
• Energy drinks

How to Protect Your Teeth:

• Use a straw – reduces contact with teeth
• Don't sip slowly – drink quickly rather than prolonged exposure
• Rinse mouth with water after acidic drinks
• Wait 30+ minutes before brushing – enamel is soft after acid exposure
• Chew sugar-free gum – stimulates saliva which neutralizes acid

✅ No Other Health Concerns:

Decades of research found citric acid to be harmless:

• No gut damage – doesn't harm stomach lining or intestines
• No kidney issues – in fact, citric acid may help prevent kidney stones
• No metabolic problems
• No interaction with medications (generally)

Citric Acid vs Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Common confusion: Citric acid ≠ Vitamin C

Aspect	Citric Acid (E330)	Vitamin C (E300)
Chemical formula	C₆H₈O₇	C₆H₈O₆
Nutritional value	❌ None	✅ Essential vitamin
Function in food	Preservative, flavour	Antioxidant, nutrient
Found in lemons	✅ 6-8% by weight	✅ 50mg per 100g
Safety	✅ Completely safe	✅ Completely safe

Regulatory Status

UK/EU: Approved with no ADI limit – unlimited use permitted

US: FDA "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS)

Worldwide: Approved in all countries – universally recognized as safe

Organic foods: Permitted in organic products (natural origin)

The Bottom Line

• ✅ Completely safe – one of the safest additives in existence
• ✅ Natural origin – found in citrus fruits, body produces it
• ✅ No health concerns – no cancer, toxicity, allergies
• ✅ No intake limit – regulatory bodies see no need for restrictions
• ⚠️ Tooth enamel erosion – only concern, from acidic drinks (use a straw)
• ✅ Not vitamin C – different compound, but also safe
• ✅ Essential preservative – prevents spoilage, keeps food fresh

Our recommendation: Citric acid is nothing to worry about. It's natural, safe, and your body makes it anyway. The only concern is tooth enamel if you constantly sip acidic drinks – use a straw and rinse your mouth after. Otherwise, consume freely without concern.

Last updated: February 2026