Widely used in the food and beverage industry as an acidulant to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. It provides a sour taste in soft drinks, candies, and fruit juices. Acts as a natural preservative in canned and jarred foods by lowering pH and inhibiting microbial growth. Commonly used in pharmaceuticals to stabilize or flavor medications and in effervescent tablets. Employed in cleaning products for its ability to chelate metal ions, helping remove hard water stains and scale. Used in cosmetics and skincare products to adjust pH and improve effectiveness of other ingredients. Also utilized in industrial applications such as water treatment and as a biodegradable alternative to harsher chemicals in detergents.