Foods Containing E330 (Citric Acid)
E330 (Citric Acid) is the most widely used food additive in the world — the same acid found naturally in lemons, and completely safe. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E330
E330 is used across oils, margarine, snacks, cured meats, soft drinks and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Soft drinks
- Sweets
- Jams
- Tinned fruit and vegetables
- Sauces
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E330 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E330" or as "Citric Acid".
How to spot E330 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "antioxidants: E330" or "antioxidants: citric acid". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Citric Acid" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E330?
E330 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E330.
Full guide to E330: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).