NOW Citric Acid Powder – 4 oz (Item # N7320)

Pure Non-GMO Food Grade Acidulant, Natural Preservative & Sprouting Aid

NOW Citric Acid 4 oz powder is a multi-purpose, kitchen-grade organic acid designed for home canning, jar sprouting, culinary preparation, and natural food preservation. Produced to meet strict Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) purity standards, this fine crystalline powder provides a controlled, shelf-stable way to lower pH levels without adding unwanted fruit flavors, moisture, or artificial additives.

Whether you are acidifying garden tomatoes to prevent spoilage organisms during water-bath canning, keeping fresh-cut fruits from turning brown, suppressing mold growth in seed sprouting jars, or replacing dietary sodium with a bright tart flavor, NOW Citric Acid provides exact measurement accuracy in a durable 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin bottle.

• 100% Pure Active Substance: Contains zero flow agents, anti-caking additives, sugars, or hidden preservatives.
• Critical Canning Protection: Drops food pH reliably below 4.6 to satisfy standard home food preservation safety requirements.
• Clean Sprouting Support: Inhibits bacterial slime and fungal spores during warm, high-humidity seed germination.
• Diet & Allergy Friendly: Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher Certified, Vegan, and independently verified gluten-free.

Mechanism of Action: How Citric Acid Works

Citric acid (molecular formula C₆H₈O₇, CAS # 77-92-9) is a weak tricarboxylic organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. In food science and cellular biology, it protects food and fuels biological energy through three well-defined mechanisms:

1. Target Microbial Suppression via Acidification (pH Drop)

Harmful foodborne pathogens, mold spores, and spore-forming bacteria (such as Clostridium botulinum) require a neutral or low-acid environment to germinate and reproduce. Adding citric acid releases free hydrogen ions (H⁺) into water, lowering the equilibrium pH below 4.6. This acidic barrier disrupts microbial cell membrane transport and halts the enzyme activity that bacteria need to multiply, preserving food freshness naturally (FDA 21 CFR § 184.1033; USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, Guide 1).

2. Mineral Chelation & Browning Prevention

Freshly sliced apples, peaches, and potatoes turn dark brown when polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes interact with oxygen and trace minerals like iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). Citric acid functions as a natural multidentate chelating agent. It binds tightly to these free metal ions, stripping the catalyst away from the browning enzyme while lowering the surface pH below the level where PPO can function. This keeps produce crisp and naturally colored without artificial sulfites.

3. Endogenous Cellular Energy (The Krebs Cycle)

Inside the human body, citric acid is the fundamental starting molecule of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle—commonly called the Krebs cycle. It takes place inside every cell's mitochondria, converting dietary carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into usable cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy. Because human metabolic pathways process citric acid continuously, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. FDA classify pure citric acid as inherently non-toxic with no numerical Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) limit required (EFSA ANS Panel, 2015).

Authoritative Scientific Citations:

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Direct Food Substances Affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS): Citric Acid. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 184.1033 (21 CFR 184.1033).
• National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) / USDA. Complete Guide to Home Canning (Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539). Specific guidelines on acidifying tomato products to pH < 4.6.
• EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of citric acid (E 330) and its calcium, potassium, sodium, and choline salts as food additives. EFSA Journal 2015;13(4):4080.
• United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP-NF). Official Monograph: Citric Acid Anhydrous. USP 44 / NF 39 standards for identity, heavy metals, and moisture limits.

Supplement Facts & Product Specifications

NOW Citric Acid is manufactured as an unadulterated culinary powder. It contains no binders, anti-caking silicates, or fillers.

NOW Foods Lab Purity & Contaminant Testing Standards

Many generic food acids sold on online marketplaces originate from unmonitored industrial chemical suppliers. NOW Foods enforces some of the most thorough analytical safety standards in the natural products industry, operating in-house laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Over 40 full-time chemists, toxicologists, and microbiologists conduct more than 19,000 individual assays every month across incoming raw materials and finished lots.

Instrumental Testing Applied to Every Production Lot:

• Heavy Metal Detection via ICP-MS: Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, NOW screens for toxic elemental impurities down to parts-per-billion (ppb) thresholds. Every lot is verified well below strict California Proposition 65 and USP safety limits: Lead (< 0.5 ppm), Arsenic (< 1.5 ppm), Cadmium (< 0.5 ppm), and Mercury (< 0.1 ppm).
• Identity & Purity Verification via FTIR: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy compares the molecular absorption spectrum of each raw shipment directly against the United States Pharmacopeia reference standard to verify 100% molecular authenticity with zero adulteration.
• Microbiological Screening: Rapid automated bio-burden screening tests every batch to confirm complete absence of pathogenic microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and Staphylococcus aureus, maintaining total yeast, mold, and plate counts below strict food grade safety limits.
• Pesticide & Herbicide Clearance via IC-MS/MS: Raw materials are monitored using Ion Chromatography paired with Tandem Mass Spectrometry to detect trace agricultural residues, including glyphosate, at parts-per-billion sensitivity.

Step-by-Step Usage Ratios, Applications & Precautions

Because pure citric acid is concentrated, measuring by level teaspoons yields consistent, predictable results. Follow these kitchen-tested ratios:

Precautions, Common Mistakes & Edge Cases:

• Do Not Use on Natural Stone: Never use citric acid cleaning solutions on polished marble, travertine, granite, or limestone counters. The acid dissolves calcium carbonate minerals, causing instant permanent etching.
• Avoid Inhaling or Eye Contact: Fine crystalline powder causes mechanical and acidic irritation to ocular tissues and mucous membranes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes immediately with cool water for 15 minutes.
• Never Ingest Undiluted Powder: Concentrated dry acid crystals can irritate mouth and stomach linings. Always dissolve powder fully in liquids or distribute evenly throughout recipes.
• Hygroscopic Storage: Citric acid pulls moisture from the ambient air. Keep the cap tightly sealed and store in a cool, dry pantry to prevent hard clumping.

Why Buy NOW Citric Acid From VitaNet®?

VitaNet®, LLC is a family-owned, independent natural health retailer that has served health-conscious shoppers online since 1995[cite: 1]. While third-party online marketplaces often ship inventory that has been stored in hot, unmonitored warehouses or handled by unvetted resellers, VitaNet® maintains direct brand distribution partnerships and handles every product in our own climate-controlled facility[cite: 1].

• ✓ Over 31 Years of Industry Experience: Independent natural health specialists offering deep product knowledge and reliable customer support since 1995[cite: 1].
• ✓ Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We pay return shipping even on opened items if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase[cite: 1].
• ✓ Direct Brand Authenticity: Sourced directly from NOW Foods with verified lot freshness, proper inventory rotation, and clean safety seals[cite: 1].
• ✓ Everyday Value Pricing: Volume discount pricing across an extensive catalog of over 16,000 name-brand nutritional products[cite: 1].
• ✓ Real Brick-and-Mortar Roots: Backed by our long-standing physical retail storefront at 887 Edison Street NW, Hartville, Ohio 44632 and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating[cite: 1].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is NOW Citric Acid 4 oz powder primarily used for?

NOW Citric Acid is a multi-purpose, food-grade acidulant used to acidify home-canned vegetables and fruits, suppress bacterial slime and mold growth during seed sprouting, prevent enzymatic browning on sliced produce, provide a tangy salt substitute, and descale mineral buildup from kitchen appliances.