Can You Be Allergic or Sensitive to Citric Acid?

A food sensitivity or allergy to citric acid is very rare, and it is not actually an allergy in the strictest sense. Citric acid is a simple molecule, and the body doesn't produce an antibody to it that would trigger an allergic reaction or show up in a traditional allergy skin test.

However, it's entirely possible that the source of the citric acid in food might trigger some form of sensitivity in certain people.

Food Allergy Symptoms

You might be having a food allergy reaction if you have the following symptoms:

• Mouth ulcers or rashes
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea
• Swelling of the mouth or throat
• Headaches
• Other symptoms of food allergy

If you routinely experience less-severe, but still noticeable, symptoms following the ingestion of foods with citric acid, you should talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested to find out exactly what is triggering your reaction.

Natural vs. Synthetic

Citric acid in its natural form is extracted from fruits. People who react to fruit-derived citric acid actually are allergic to the fruit, not to citric acid itself.

Citric acid can also be synthesized commercially.

If you're sensitive to the fruit or to substances that remain from the synthetic process, those may be what's triggering your reaction. Avoiding citric acid may prevent the reaction.

The problem with trying to avoid citric acid is that it's a very commonly ingredient, food additive, and preservative. Therefore, avoid it can be a challenge.

Sources of Citric Acid

Citric acid derived from natural sources has been used as a food additive for over 100 years. It's often used to provide a sour or tart flavoring, act as a preservative, or serve as an emulsifier. It's also common in canned and jarred foods to prevent botulism.

Citric acid is found in foods including:

• Ice cream
• Sorbet
• Caramel
• Soda
• Beer
• Wine
• Baked goods
• Processed sweets
• Pre-cut pre-packaged fruits and vegetables

It acts as a preservative in these foods and to provide a longer shelf life.

The acid in citrus fruits can also aggravate acid reflux symptoms and cause some people to experience heartburn.

Mold or Corn Allergy

Citric acid is also synthetically produced using a type of mold called Aspergillus niger, a safe strain of black mold. It's much cheaper to produce it this way than to use the natural version.

In the manufacturing process, the mold culture is fed sugar solutions, which are often derived from corn. This is often the source of citric acid used as a food additive in many processed foods.

It's not unusual to have an allergy or a sensitivity to mold or corn, and in fact, many people who react to foods containing citric acid may actually be allergic to the mold or the corn used to produce the acid.

If you have an allergy or sensitivity to airborne mold or mold found in the environment, you may also react to mold in or on the foods you eat.

If you're allergic to corn, you may be sensitive to the tiny amount of corn that's left in citric acid during the manufacturing process.

Allergists can determine if you have an allergy to mold or corn using a skin-prick test, but to determine if you're also sensitive to mold in foods, you'll need to do an elimination diet and supervised oral food challenge.