Widely used in the food and beverage industry as an acidulant to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. It provides a tart 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. Common in dairy products to control acidity and aid in coagulation, such as in cheese production. Used in pharmaceuticals as an excipient to stabilize active ingredients and adjust pH in tablets, syrups, and effervescent formulations. Helps reduce the risk of kidney stones by increasing urine citrate levels. In cleaning products, it effectively chelates metal ions, making it useful in detergents, descalers, and rinse aids for removing hard water stains and limescale. Also found in cosmetics and personal care items as a pH adjuster and antioxidant. Popular in household applications like water softening and cleaning agents due to its biodegradability and low toxicity. Used in photography, electroplating, and textile industries for pH control and metal ion management.