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Quote of the day:

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Citric Acid

What is it?

Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid found in fruits like lemons and limes and is what gives them their sour and tart taste. It is widely used as a food additive to add flavor to foods and beverages.

In the early 1900’s, research showed that citric acid had preservative properties that could prevent bacterial growth and oxidation in food. (Just like how when you squeeze lemon on an open half of an avocado or apple to prevent browning.) In the 1950s, scientists discovered a way to produce citric acid on an industrial scale through a fermentation process using the fungus Aspergillus niger (a known allergen).

Since then, it has become a popular food preservative and flavoring agent, used in a wide range of food, beverage, beauty and home products. This synthetic form of citric acid proved to be more economical and efficient than obtaining it from natural sources. This helps to extend the shelf life of the product and prevent spoilage which is why it is one of the most common food additives.

Why does it matter?

About 99% of citric acid is produced as a preservative called MCA (Modified Citric Acid) and NOT through the extraction of natural citric acid from citrus fruits. Most commercial citric acid is produced by fermentation of a type of black mold called Aspergillus niger. This process involves growing the mold in a nutrient-rich solution and then harvesting the citric acid that is produced as a byproduct of the mold's metabolism.

This method of producing citric acid is more cost-effective than extraction from citrus fruits, which is why it has become the dominant method of citric acid production. The safety of consuming MCA was NOT assessed by the FDA through evaluation. There were no tests or experiments conducted to assess the potential risks associated with consuming black mold. Instead, the FDA classified modified citric acid as GRAS, which means it is “generally recognized as safe”.

The citric acid produced through these processes is chemically identical, and is used in a wide range of products, including soft drinks, candy, processed foods, and more, which is why there is a debate on its safety.

In 2018, a research study examined the impacts of organic citric acid and modified citric acid. The study evaluated two distinct groups of people who consumed either the organic or modified citric acid. Based on four case reports, it was found that individuals who consumed the modified citric acid (MCA) experienced symptoms such as joint pain with swelling and stiffness, shortness of breath, muscle pain, and abdominal cramping.

Regularly consuming citric acid has been associated with an elevated risk of tooth decay, as well as gut irritation. With this information and lack of data/testing, I take caution when consuming items with citric acid.

You may have also seen the recent Lawsuit against Celsius about its claim to have “no preservatives” even though it contains citric acid. This is not the first time a lawsuit against false advertising with the use of citric acid has been made, and it won’t be the last.

How to remove from your life?

I know this is a hard one to fully avoid but staying away from processed foods, and sticking with the fully clean brands when food shopping will help you avoid them. Try and always pick whole foods when you can, and instead of buying canned drinks or juices, make your own citrus water by adding in fresh lemons, limes, oranges, etc.

Citric acid is valuable to our bodies and should be consumed from real foods which you can get from grapefruit, lemon, lime, tomatoes, strawberries, pineapple, orange, and more.

The process in which modified citric acid is made contains sources of sugar, such as glucose syrup derived from GMO corn or molasses. To ensure that you are consuming non-genetically modified citric acid, you may want to look for products that are certified by the Non-GMO Project or are labeled as "non-GMO” if you are to consume products with citric acid.

It's important to note that brands can produce citric acid naturally in their products, but make sure it is called out directly - like this brand Sound does.

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