Is citric acid (E330) halal?

What is E330?

Citric acid is the sour acid found in lemons and other citrus fruit. Industrially it is made by fermenting sugar solutions with the mould Aspergillus niger or with Candida yeasts, then purifying and crystallising the acid. It can also be recovered from lemon or pineapple juice.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

The raw materials are sugars or fruit juice, and the acid is made by moulds or yeasts, then purified and crystallised. No animal ingredient and no alcohol is part of the finished additive, which is why citric acid is generally regarded as halal.

How to check the label

No special check is needed for citric acid. Look at the other ingredients of the product instead; citric acid is not the one that decides its halal status.

Where you'll find it

• soft drinks
• sweets
• jams and jellies
• canned fruit and vegetables
• sauces

Good to know

• The EU specification allows citric acid from lemon or pineapple juice, or from fermentation with Candida yeasts or non-toxigenic strains of Aspergillus niger.
• Citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruit and in plant and animal tissues, including the human body, where it is part of normal energy metabolism.

Similar additives

• E270 Lactic acid Generally halal
• E331 Sodium citrates Generally halal
• E415 Xanthan gum Generally halal
• E621 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Generally halal
• E220 Sulphur dioxide Generally halal
• E260 Acetic acid Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EU specifications for food additives, Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
2. US 21 CFR 184.1033, citric acid

Frequently asked questions