beauty
cleaning
food
pharma

Anhydrous citric acid

E330 · CAS 79586-22-4 · 40/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 16 other CAS numbers

134367-01-4 · 141633-96-7 · 12262-73-6 · 43136-35-2 · 136108-93-5 · 245654-34-6 · 623158-96-3 · 856568-15-5 · 878903-72-1 · 890704-54-8 · 896506-46-0 · 906507-37-7 · 1192555-95-5 · 2023788-69-2 · 77-92-9 · 5949-29-1

Anhydrous citric acid chemical structure

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Anhydrous citric acid in plain language

What it is: On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Citric acid”.
Also known as Citric acid · 1,2,3-PROPANETRICARBOXYLIC acid, 2-HYDROXY- · 2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid · Aciletten · Citric acid anhydrous · Citric acid monoglyceride
Show all 26 names
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxyic acid · 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid · 2-Hydroxypropan-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid · 2-Hydroxytricarballylic acid · 3-Carboxy-3-hydroxypentane-1,5-dioic acid · Acide citrique · Chemfill · Citretten · Citric acid bp · Citro · Hydrocerol A · Kyselina citronova · acido citrico · beta-Hydroxytricarballylic acid · E330 · Ins 330 · Citric acid (constituent of cranberry liquid preparation) · Citricum acidum · Clenpiq component anhydrous citric acid · acidum citricum
What it does: Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer, a chelating agent and a fragrance ingredient. Citric Acid is the organic acid.
Buffering
Chelating
Fragrance
Acidity regulator
Chelating agent
Flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist
Is it a concern?: Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

As a food additive

E-number

E330

Used in food as

Acidity regulator
Acidifier
Antioxidant synergist

EU safety status

Authorised in the EU without a numerical limit (Group I); EFSA re-evaluation not yet published.

It never counts as an additive of concern in a product’s food rating.

Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part C(1) Group I (quantum satis)

Why it's flagged

EPA DSSTox provides the canonical identifier, structure, and synonym profile for this chemical.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Anhydrous citric acid appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

USFDAinactive ingredient database59 entries — 14 administration routes
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 101 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 25 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 1152 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 35 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 414 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 540 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 81 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: LIQUID; Maximum daily exposure: 18 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 60 mgSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Maximum daily exposure: 5 mgSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY, METERED; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.09 %w/vSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SUSPENSION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.05 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 131 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED; Maximum daily exposure: 360 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 84 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: ELIXIR; Maximum daily exposure: 90 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: FILM, SOLUBLE; Maximum daily exposure: 7 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: GRANULE, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 30 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: PASTE; Maximum daily exposure: 26 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 123 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 570 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3900 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 400 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 62 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION/ DROPS; Maximum daily exposure: 15 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Maximum daily exposure: 268 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 197 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, CHEWABLE; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, CHEWABLE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 12 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EFFERVESCENT; Maximum daily exposure: 840 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 312 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Maximum daily exposure: 46 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING, DELAYED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 48 mgSource →
- Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 904 mgSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 5 mgSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 101 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 25 mgSource →
- + 19 more entries not shown
EUEFSAEFSA opinion3 entries
- Safety of trimagnesium dicitrate anhydrous (TMDC) to be used as a food additive in food supplements in solid and chewable forms (EFSA ANS)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of citric acid when used as a technological additive (preservative) for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of citric acid when used as a technological additive (acidity regulator) for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
AUFSANZPermittedPermitted food additive under the Food Standards Code.
- Permitted food additive under the Food Standards Code.Source →
EUCosIngActiveCitric Acid is the organic acid that conforms to the formula:
- Citric Acid is the organic acid that conforms to the formula:Source →
GLOBALJECFANOT LIMITEDJECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
USFDAAllowedSubstance added to food inventory includes citric acid.
- Substance added to food inventory includes citric acid.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 75 active drug products and 104 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 75 active drug products and 104 total products.Source →
USUSDA FoodData Centralobserved in branded food ingredient statementsObserved in 9 USDA branded foods including 1 LITER BOTTLE BLACKCHERRY, 1 LITER BOTTLE DIET BLACK CHERRY, 1 LITER BOTTLE TOM COLLINS.
- Observed in 9 USDA branded foods including 1 LITER BOTTLE BLACKCHERRY, 1 LITER BOTTLE DIET BLACK CHERRY, 1 LITER BOTTLE TOM COLLINS.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Safety of trimagnesium dicitrate anhydrous (TMDC) to be used as a food additive in food supplements in solid and chewable forms (EFSA ANS)
  2016 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of citric acid when used as a technological additive (preservative) for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of citric acid when used as a technological additive (acidity regulator) for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Anhydrous citric acid yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

14 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Substances Added to Food
regulatory · updated 2026-01-20
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-05-29
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
FSANZ Food Additives
regulatory · updated 2026-02-12
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
Product Opener
product_occurrence · updated 2026-02-09
Open →
PubChem
chemistry · updated 2026-01-15
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →
USDA Branded Foods
product_occurrence · updated 2026-02-19
Open →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often FDA National Drug Code directory has listed Anhydrous citric acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

104

Typical roles

BufferingChelatingFragranceAcidity regulatorChelating agentFlavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist

See products using Anhydrous citric acid →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Anhydrous citric acid; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 1000+ →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Anhydrous citric acid in the catalog.