Widely used in the food and beverage industry as an acidulant to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. It adds a tangy taste to soft drinks, candies, and jams. Acts as a natural preservative by lowering pH, inhibiting microbial growth in canned fruits, sauces, and dairy products. Common in cleaning agents due to its ability to chelate metal ions, helping remove hard water stains and scale from metals and ceramics. Used in pharmaceuticals to stabilize active ingredients and adjust pH in effervescent tablets and syrups. Employed in cosmetics and skincare products for pH adjustment and as an antioxidant. Also found in detergents and household cleaners as a biodegradable alternative to phosphates.