The food additive citric acid is mainly used in carbonated beverages, fruit juice drinks, lactic acid beverages, pickled products, etc., and its demand varies with the seasonal climate. Citric acid is added as an acidifier in candies, which is easy to harmonize with the fruit flavor. The use of citric acid in gel food such as jam and jelly can effectively reduce the negative charge of pectin, so that the pectin intermolecular hydrogen bonding and gel.

Citric acid added to canned fruit can maintain or improve the flavor of the fruit, improve the acidity of some low acidity fruit canning, weaken the microbial resistance to heat and inhibit its growth, to prevent bacterial bloating and damage.

Adding citric acid to canned vegetables can play a role in flavoring and maintaining quality.