Food Acids

Food acids, also known as acidulants, are compounds that lower the pH of food products to provide tartness, enhance flavor, preserve freshness, and control microbial growth. Common food acids include citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and acetic acid (vinegar). These ingredients are among the most widely used food additives, appearing in products from soft drinks and candy to canned vegetables and dairy products. Citric acid alone appears on the ingredient lists of a large percentage of all packaged foods sold in the United States.

Food acids are found in carbonated beverages, fruit juices, sports drinks, candy, gummy snacks, jams and preserves, canned fruits and vegetables, pickled foods, salad dressings, cheese, wine, fermented foods, flavored water, gelatin desserts, and baking powder.

Level (high → low)Level (low → high)Name (A–Z)Name (Z–A)

AllL1L2L3L4

Santa Barbara, Mango Salsa with Peach, Medium

8.12.0/10

Family Recipe Italian Dressing

8.12.0/10

Margarita & Lime White Corn Tortilla Chips

8.10.0/10

Oat Bars

8.14.5/10

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House Italian Made with Peramesan Cheese

8.11.5/10

Campbell's Sauces Pineapple Teriyaki

8.10.5/10

Crackers, Real Cheddar Cheese

8.13.5/10

Crackers, Cheddar Cheese

8.12.0/10

Ripe Strawberry Premium Ice Cream Wrapped in Sweet, Pillowy Dough Mochi Ice Cream, Ripe Strawberry

8.12.0/10

Pepperoni Duo Melted Mozzarella Cheese Layered with Slices and Chunks of Pepperoni Stone Baked Flatbread, Pepperoni

8.16.0/10

Andy Capp's Bbq Flavored Fries, 3 Oz, 3 Oz

8.13.5/10

Wish-Bone, E.v.o.o. Dressing, Sundried Tomato, Sundried Tomato

8.11.5/10

Ripe Strawberry Premium Mochi Ice Cream Wrapped in a Sweet, Soft Dough, Ripe Strawberry

8.12.0/10

Sauce for Broccoli Beef, Broccoli Beef

8.10.0/10

Classic Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Classic Buttermilk Ranch

8.12.5/10

Duncan Hines, Pie Filling & Topping, Apple

5.32.5/10

Kroger, Apple Jelly

5.30.0/10

Great Value, Strawberry Preserves, Strawberry

5.32.5/10

Chipotle Pepper Marinade

5.30.5/10

Duncan Hines, Comstock, Original Pie Filling & Topping, Royal Blueberry

5.32.5/10

Amazing Taste, Steak House Seasoning

5.30.0/10

Calypso, Lemonade

5.34.0/10

Steak House Seasoning

5.30.0/10

Garlic & Onion Blend Malibu All-Purpose Seasoning

5.30.0/10

Vanilla Grade a Greek Nonfat Yogurt, Vanilla

5.36.0/10

Spicy Peppercorn & Garlic Blend Steak House Seasoning, Spicy Peppercorn & Garlic Blend

5.30.0/10

Concord Grape Jelly Sweetened with Grape Juice Concentrate, Concord Grape

5.32.0/10

Vanilla Blended Greek Whole Milk Yogurt, Vanilla

5.35.0/10

Raspberry Fruit Syrup, Raspberry

5.32.0/10

Crisp & Cool Glacier Cherry Thirst Quencher, Glacier Cherry

5.34.0/10

Red Gold 28oz. Diced Tomatoes

3.04.5/10

Tuttorosso Green 28oz. Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes in Juice

3.05.0/10

Tuttorosso Green 28oz. Diced Tomatoes in Juice

3.04.5/10

Tutturosso Green 14.5oz. Diced Tomatoes

3.04.5/10

Hunts Organic Diced Tomatoes

3.00.0/10

Hunts Tomato Puree, #10 Can, 6/107 Oz., 107 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunt's Tomato Puree, 10.75 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunt's Tomato Puree, 29 Oz, 29 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunts Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes

3.00.0/10

Hunts Petite Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunts Petite Diced Tomatoes, 28 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes, 28 Oz, 28 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunts Whole Tomatoes No Salt Added, 28 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunts Whole Peeled Tomatoes

3.00.0/10

Hunt's Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes, 28 Oz, 28 Oz

3.00.0/10

Hunts Organic Tomato Paste, 6 Oz

2.00.0/10

Hunts Tomato Paste, 6 Oz

2.00.0/10

Hunts Tomato Paste No Salt Added, 6 Oz

2.00.0/10

Hunts Tomato Paste, #10 Can, 6/111 Oz., 111 Oz

2.00.0/10

Il Panettone

1.52.0/10

Honey Mustard Glazed Almonds, Cashews, and Pecan Pieces, Pepitas, Peanuts, Dried Edamame Protein, Honey Mustard

1.50.0/10

Black Cherry Protein Water, Black Cherry

1.50.0/10

Trail Mix, Nut 'N Yogurt

Kars

1.55.0/10

Birthday Cake Protein Bites, Birthday Cake

Siren

1.57.0/10

Mogu Mogu, Lychee Juice, Lychee

1.04.0/10

Fresh Frozen Sliced Peaches

1.05.0/10

Red Beet Soluble Crystals

Salus

1.02.5/10

Tomato Paste, Tomato

Our Family

1.00.0/10

Riced Cauliflower, Riced

Kitchen & Love

1.05.0/10

Arbol Salsa, Arbol

Tatemada

1.04.5/10

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Food Acids can appear in ingredient lists under several names. If you see any of the following, this is the ingredient family you are looking at:

Food acids serve multiple functions in food manufacturing. They provide the sour or tart taste characteristic of many foods and beverages, enhance and brighten other flavors, act as preservatives by creating conditions unfavorable to bacterial growth, function as chelating agents that bind metal ions to prevent discoloration and rancidity, and serve as buffering agents that maintain consistent pH levels during processing and storage. In confectionery, acids create the sour coating on candies. In canning, they ensure safe pH levels for shelf-stable products.

Food acids are obtained through both natural extraction and industrial production. Citric acid was historically extracted from citrus fruits but is now predominantly produced through microbial fermentation of sugars by Aspergillus niger mold. Lactic acid is produced by bacterial fermentation. Malic acid is found naturally in apples and can also be synthesized industrially. Tartaric acid is a byproduct of winemaking. Phosphoric acid is produced from phosphate rock through chemical processing. Acetic acid (vinegar) is produced by bacterial fermentation of ethanol.

Food acids are classified as GRAS by the FDA or approved as food additives with specific permitted uses. Citric acid and malic acid are naturally occurring metabolic intermediates in the human body. Acidic foods and beverages may contribute to dental enamel erosion with frequent consumption. Phosphoric acid content in beverages has been examined in research regarding its relationship to mineral metabolism. Individual sensitivities to specific acids exist.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Most food acids are classified as GRAS by the FDA and have long histories of use. They must be declared on ingredient labels by their common names. The EU assigns E-numbers to food acids (e.g., E330 for citric acid, E338 for phosphoric acid) and establishes maximum permitted levels for specific applications. Vinegar has FDA standards of identity requiring minimum acetic acid content. Organic food standards generally permit naturally derived acids while restricting synthetically produced versions.