Citric Acid:
A visit to the grocery store to read labels will quickly demonstrate that “citric acid” is being widely used in processed foods. Its use appears to be increasing. A few years ago Although this is something we all might recognize as a real food ingredient, it has a dark side.
Many people believe that citric acid comes from citrus fruits. Well, yes it does, but not the citric acid listed on my package of whole wheat bread. Most of this “citric acid” is made via a fungal fermentation ¹ process of crude sugars such as those found in, you guessed it, corn and sugar beets. Citric acids are produced by fermentation which utilizes a carbohydrate source such as corn-based starch and sugar beet molasses.” ¹ Most corn and sugar beets grown in the US are from GM seeds. 95% of the 2010 sugar beet crop will come from genetically modified seed, and over half the U.S. supply of sugar comes from sugar beets.¹ The Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is a major producer of citric acid and Monsanto the number manufacturer of GM sugar beet and corn seed.
Aside from the dangers of ingesting GM organisms, processed citric acid is a hidden source of MSG. When citric acid is produced from corn, manufacturers do not take the time or undertake the expense to remove all corn protein. During processing, the remaining protein is hydrolyzed, resulting in some processed free glutamic acid (MSG). Citric acid may also interacts with any protein in the food to which it is added, freeing up more glutamic acid (MSG).¹ ² For a sobering look at the GMO beet industry please go to The Organic and NonGMO Report.
