3 ms·
MCA (manufactured citric acid) is on my list of ingredients to avoid, as it seems to cause sores on the inside of my mouth. I don't get the same reaction from l
by teslabox 5y ago
MCA (manufactured citric acid) is on my list of ingredients to avoid, as it seems to cause sores on the inside of my mouth. I don't get the same reaction from lemons/limes, so I figured it's the fungus contaminants.
Juices are commonly contaminated with MCA. I refer to MCA as a 'cosmetic food ingredient', which are added to change mouthfeel of a manufactured food and do not provide nutrition. Gums are the other common cosmetic food ingredient - they are added to change the mouthfeel or storage properties. Most gums are safe; I avoid all foods with carageenan, as this one supposedly has inflammatory properties.
The fine article says that Italy used to make citric acid from lemons, but that this got too expensive. I didn't realize fungus-derived citric acid has been in use since 1919.
- saint_olms 5y agoIf you're avoiding it, it may be helpful to know (if you didn't already; in that case, for anyone else reading) that, at least in the US, manufactured citric acid is a frequent additive not stated in ingredient lists ("natural flavors", among other things), as well as a reactive agent in some non-perishables eg. soaps and detergents. I was bit by that last one several times before researching the chemistry of soapmaking and learning about it with tired aggravation.