Foods
Yes, the use of citric acid is primarily used in the food industry. The industry amounts to approximately 70% of its general use. It provides the tart taste in various fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, pineapples, grapefruit, and gooseberries. Another great use of acidic acid is found in the line of sodas created by Pepsi. You know it, Britney Spears and Bob Dole are fans of this compound. After checking up on Coke and their ingredients... it wasn't labeled on the can... could it possibly be... PEPSI is more acidic. Of course! *AhEm... Coke is the best!* One of the unknown daily uses of citric acid is for meat tenderizing. It is used in many food processors as an acidulant in their products in order to control acidity. This allows the meat to loosen from the weak acid present in citric acid.

Detergents and Cleaners
This group represents 18% of the general use of acidic acid. This acid is capable of preserving color and flavor in canned and frozen fruits and fish. Take a look next time you pop a microwave dinner or open those canned peaches. You'll notice that acidic acid is there. As well, it's found in inks, mordant (dye-fixative). buffering agents, refrigerant, dispering agents, acidifiers, and textile painting. One of the more interesting uses is in bath "bombs". It provides that initial sizzle that appears when it reacts with water.

Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics
You ever have problems going to the bathroom? Or do you just want to play a prank on a friend or foe? Laxitives is the answer to both of those questions. Yes, even lactic acid is found in that wonderful creation. Another interesting use is with antioxidants. This helps alcoholics recover by prompting an irritation when they consume alcohol. It allows the normal effects of alcohol to conteract their effects. Last of all, its used in anticoagulants. This allows for slower blood clotting when necessary. Overall, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic division of the uses of citric acid amount to 6%.

Industrial and Chemical Processing Uses / Other
This group represents another 6% of the uses of citric acid. Most of them are foreign to the common individual, but here is a nice anyways: alkyd resins, flasticizers, chelating agent, hemostyptic, lithotriptic, sequestering agent, and cathartics.

Citrates
One of the most common uses of citrates is ferric ammonium citrate, which is used to make blueprint paper. The ferric ammonium citrate works when light is exposed to a drawing on top of it. Where there are not lines, the paper will be able to react and turn into ferrous salt that leads into another reaction that creates a blue background.

Side Effects:
Frequent and large doses may lead to corrosion of the teeth and produce an irritant action.