Widely used in the food and beverage industry as an acidulant to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. It adds a tart 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 effervescent tablets and powders where it reacts with bicarbonates to release carbon dioxide. Used in cleaning products for removing hard water stains and scale due to its chelating properties. Employed in cosmetics and skincare formulations to adjust pH and improve stability. Also utilized in industrial applications such as water softening and metal cleaning.