A practical guide to citric acid grades and forms — and how to choose the right one — from a US-based distributor that supplies food, technical, and liquid grades.
Citric acid is a weak organic acid (C₆H₈O₇) used as an acidulant, pH regulator, chelating agent, and cleaning agent. It is supplied in anhydrous and monohydrate solid forms and as a 50% liquid solution, in food grade (FCC) and technical grade. Stratus Chemical distributes all common grades and forms across the United States with COAs and spec sheets provided.
Citric acid is a naturally occurring weak organic acid found in citrus fruits and produced commercially by fermentation. It is one of the most widely used acidulants in the world, valued for its clean sour taste, strong ability to bind (chelate) metal ions, and effectiveness in adjusting and buffering pH. It carries the food additive designation E330.
Because it is versatile, food-safe in the appropriate grade, and biodegradable, citric acid appears across food and beverage, cleaning, personal care, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.
The two solid forms differ in their water of crystallization, not in the acid itself:
Both deliver the same acid functionality. The right choice usually comes down to your formulation, storage conditions, and processing temperature.
Grade refers to purity and the standards a product is certified against:
If your product is consumed, applied to skin, or otherwise regulated, food/FCC grade is typically required. For industrial uses, technical grade is usually the more cost-effective fit.
| Form | Grades | Typical Packaging | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anhydrous (powder/granular) | Food (FCC), Technical | 25 kg bags, supersacks | Dry blends, beverages, cleaning |
| Monohydrate (powder/granular) | Food (FCC), Technical | 25 kg bags, supersacks | General formulation, food & beverage |
| 50% liquid solution | Food, Technical | Totes, bulk | High-volume liquid dosing |
Certificates of analysis (COA) and specification sheets are available for all shipments. Tell us your target grade and we'll confirm current availability and pricing.
Common applications by sector include:
Citric acid is a global commodity, and pricing and availability shift with production and freight conditions. A distributor with a diversified, qualified supplier base helps you avoid single-source risk and capture competitive pricing. Stratus sources from domestic and international producers, manages qualification and import logistics, and responds to quote requests within one business day.
Looking at other organic acids too? See the full organic acids range or request a quote.
Anhydrous contains no water of crystallization and resists moisture and caking; monohydrate contains one bound water molecule. They are chemically the same acid — choose based on formulation, storage, and processing conditions.
Food grade meets standards like FCC and suits food, beverage, and personal care use. Technical grade meets industrial purity requirements for cleaning, metal treatment, and similar uses.
Dry forms ship in 25 kg bags and supersacks; liquid ships in totes and bulk. We arrange packaging and logistics around your volume and delivery needs.
Tell us the grade, form, and volume — we'll respond with pricing and availability within one business day.
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