Citric Acid
Citric acid is an acidulant used to adjust pH, balance flavour and support product formulation across many categories.
Contact us to discuss specifications, availability and suitability for your application.
All ingredientsNUTRIFENA INGREDIENTS
Citric Acid for Food Manufacturing
Wholesale citric acid for beverages, confectionery, bakery fillings, dry mixes, sauces and food manufacturers—with no minimum order quantity.
Citric acid ingredient guide
What is citric acid?
Citric acid is a food acid used in manufacturing as an acidulant, pH-control agent, flavoring aid and sequestrant. Commercial food-grade citric acid is commonly produced by fermentation of carbohydrate media, then recovered, purified and crystallized into a white, odorless solid. It is not the same ingredient as ascorbic acid, which is Vitamin C.
Food developers can work with anhydrous or monohydrate citric acid, as well as different crystal or particle sizes. The forms have different molecular weights and moisture content, which can affect dosing calculations, handling and dry-blend behavior. Final acidity depends on the complete formulation, buffering capacity, solids, process and target pH, so the exact Nutrifena grade and approved specification should be confirmed before scale-up.
Ingredient value
Citric acid benefits
Citric acid provides precise sourness and acidity control, but the final sensory and technical result must be validated in the complete formulation.
Acidity and pH adjustment
Helps formulators move a product toward the required acidity range while balancing the buffering capacity of the full system.
Clean, recognizable sourness
Builds a bright acid profile in beverages, confectionery, fruit preparations, sauces and dry mixes.
Sequestration and process support
Can bind certain metal ions and support formulation performance where sequestration is relevant to the finished product.
For manufacturers
Benefits of citric acid for formulation
Supports repeatable pH and titratable-acidity development when dosing and process controls are validated.
Provides a concentrated acid profile for beverage, confectionery, fruit and sauce systems.
Dissolves readily in water and can be incorporated into liquid or dry manufacturing processes.
Blends with sugar, maltodextrin, starch, xanthan gum, botanical powders and high-intensity sweeteners.
Available in anhydrous or other specified forms depending on the approved SKU and supplier documentation.
Available to B2B buyers in packaged and quoted commercial quantities with no minimum order quantity.
Pack optionsSample data
Citric acid package sizes
The values below are sample packaging data for layout review. Replace them with approved net weights, filled dimensions and case configurations before publication.
Net weight (US)Metric equivalentPackage dimensions
8 oz227g5.5 × 8.5 × 2.5 in (14 × 21.6 × 6.4 cm)
1 lb / 16 oz454g6 × 9 × 2.5 in (15.2 × 22.9 × 6.4 cm)
2.2 lb / 35.3 oz1kg7 × 10.5 × 3.1 in (17.8 × 26.7 × 7.9 cm)
B2B supply
Request a citric acid quoteOrder the quantity your business needs.
Nutrifena supplies citric acid to beverage producers, confectioneries, bakeries, sauce and filling manufacturers, dry-mix operations and other food businesses with no minimum order quantity (MOQ). Availability, grade, unit configuration, freight and lead time are confirmed with each quote.
Product documentation
Ingredients, Nutrition Facts and product identifiers
The six examples below demonstrate the intended final presentation. Every value is sample data and must be replaced with the approved label, specification and SKU documentation before publication.
Single-ingredient citric acid
Ingredients: Citric acid.
Contains statement: No major allergen declaration shown in this sample.
Allergens: No major allergens intentionally added. Cross-contact status must be confirmed with the approved allergen statement.
About 113 servings per 1 lb pack
Serving size1 tsp (4g)
Calories10
Total Fat0g
Sodium0mg
Total Carbohydrate4g
Dietary Fiber0g
Protein0g
Identifiers by package size
8 oz: UPC 0 12345 68100 4
1 lb: UPC 0 12345 68101 1
2.2 lb: UPC 0 12345 68102 8
Case GTIN: 10012345681001
Food-grade anhydrous citric acid
Country of origin: China
Process: Carbohydrate fermentation, purification and crystallization
Assay: 99.5–100.5%
Water: 0.5% maximum
Particle size: 30–100 mesh
Shelf life: 36 months
Example label qualifications
Food gradeAnhydrousWater-solubleWhite crystalline powder99.5% minimum assay
Sample presentation only. Publish a claim only when supported by the approved SKU documentation and current certificates.
Example document package
Product specificationAvailable
Certificate of AnalysisPer lot
Allergen statementAvailable
Country of origin statementAvailable
SDSAvailable
Commercial uses
Citric acid applications
01Beverages
02Confectionery
03Bakery and fillings
04Dry mixes
05Sauces and preserves
06Supplements
Starting points for R&D
Three citric acid pilot formulations
Each example is a 2.2 lb (1kg) pilot formulation created for commercial product development. These are starting points, not finished product specifications; validate processing, stability, sensory performance, nutrition, allergens and regulatory compliance before production.
01
Lemon beverage dry premix
Beverage manufacturers · Powder blends · Food serviceSugar27.51 oz (780g)
Nutrifena Corn Maltodextrin5.11 oz (145g)
Nutrifena Citric Acid1.76 oz (50g)
Natural lemon flavor0.53 oz (15g)
Nutrifena Ascorbic Acid — Vitamin C0.35 oz (10g)
Pilot method
Blend all powders until uniform. Determine the required serving addition rate and dissolve into water under suitable agitation. Validate pH, titratable acidity, sweetness, flavor balance, clarity, vitamin retention and storage stability before production.
02
Berry gummy confectionery base
Confectioneries · Gummy manufacturers · Product developmentSugar17.64 oz (500g)
Glucose syrup solids8.82 oz (250g)
Gelatin5.29 oz (150g)
Nutrifena Corn Maltodextrin1.76 oz (50g)
Nutrifena Citric Acid1.06 oz (30g)
Nutrifena Dehydrated Açaí Powder 50%0.71 oz (20g)
Pilot method
Pre-blend the citric acid and açaí powder with part of the sugar and maltodextrin. Develop the required water addition, gelatin bloom, cook sequence and acid-addition point for the target process. Validate final solids, pH, set, texture, flavor, water activity and shelf life.
03
Cook-up berry bakery filling base
Bakeries · Dessert manufacturers · Fruit preparation systemsSugar24.69 oz (700g)
Nutrifena Tapioca Starch7.05 oz (200g)
Nutrifena Corn Maltodextrin2.47 oz (70g)
Nutrifena Citric Acid0.53 oz (15g)
Nutrifena Dehydrated Açaí Powder 50%0.35 oz (10g)
Nutrifena Xanthan Gum0.18 oz (5g)
Pilot method
Pre-blend the citric acid and xanthan gum into the sugar and maltodextrin before adding the tapioca starch and açaí powder. Develop the dry-base addition rate with the target fruit and water phase. Validate cook temperature, final solids, acidity, hot-fill behavior, bake stability and storage performance.
Buyer questions
Citric acid FAQ
Does Nutrifena have a minimum order quantity for citric acid?
No. Nutrifena accepts B2B enquiries without a minimum order quantity. Availability, packaging, freight and lead time are confirmed in the quote.
Which citric acid package sizes are available?
The sizes currently displayed are sample data: 8 oz (227g), 1 lb / 16 oz (454g) and 2.2 lb / 35.3 oz (1kg). Approved units, case configuration and commercial formats must be confirmed before ordering.
What is the difference between anhydrous and monohydrate citric acid?
Anhydrous citric acid contains no water of crystallization, while the monohydrate form includes one water molecule in its crystal structure. Confirm the supplied form because molecular weight, moisture and dosing calculations differ.
Are citric acid and ascorbic acid the same?
No. Citric acid is primarily used as an acidulant and pH-control ingredient. Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C. They may appear together in a formulation, but they are not interchangeable.
Can citric acid preserve a finished food by itself?
Citric acid can help adjust acidity, but it does not by itself establish a safe or stable preservation process. The manufacturer must validate pH, water activity, thermal process, packaging, hygiene and the complete preservation system.
Which citric acid grade should I request?
Specify the application, required form, crystal size, target pH, process, quantity and destination. Nutrifena can then identify the relevant available SKU and documentation.
Can I request technical and label information?
Yes. Include the required package size, application, process, quantity and destination in your enquiry so the team can identify the relevant SKU and available documentation.
Regulatory and specification note: The FDA lists citric acid under 21 CFR 184.1033 and identifies technical effects including pH control and sequestration. Review the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory and the FAO/WHO JECFA citric acid specification alongside the approved Nutrifena SKU specification before setting use levels, claims or purchasing requirements.
Request information
Contact us to discuss specifications, availability and suitability for your application.