Citric Acid (E330) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Citric Acid?
Citric acid is a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits, particularly lemons and limes. It was first isolated from lemon juice in 1784 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Today, commercial citric acid is produced primarily through microbial fermentation of sugars using Aspergillus niger mold. It is one of the most widely used food additives in the world, appearing in an enormous range of products.
What Is It Used For?
Used to add a sour or tart flavor to foods and beverages, preserve freshness by lowering pH, and act as an antioxidant by chelating metal ions. Also used as a cleaning agent and in personal care products.
Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
Considered very safe by all major regulatory bodies. Some individuals may experience tooth enamel erosion with excessive consumption of citric acid-containing beverages, as is the case with all acidic drinks. A rare condition called systemic contact dermatitis with citric acid sensitivity has been reported in isolated cases. No other concerns at normal dietary levels.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Citric Acid an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 9/10. This is 0.2 points above the database average for acidity regulators (8.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2019.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E330 or 'Citric Acid'
▶Chemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database ↗EU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database ↗International evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Additive Status List ↗U.S. food-ingredient regulatory references
- European Food Safety Authority: Food additives ↗EFSA food-additive safety assessment process
Frequently Asked Questions about Citric Acid
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E330
- INS Number
- 330
- Category
- Acidity Regulators
- Origin
- Natural
- FDA Status
- GRAS
- EFSA Status
- Authorized
- ADI
- No limit
- Dataset Review
- 2019
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Quick Links
Related Additives
Other acidity regulators in the same family