Safety data sheet reference · CAS 77-92-9
Citric acid SDS
also: citric acid MSDS · safety data sheet · C6H8O7 · CAS 77-92-9 · EC 201-069-1
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
77-92-9
EC number
201-069-1
CLP Annex VI index
607-750-00-3
Molecular formula
C6H8O7
Molar mass
192.12 g/mol
§ 02 · Hazards identification
Citric acid harmonised EU classification
CLP Annex VI · Index 607-750-00-3. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.
Precautionary statements
Codes ending in a colon introduce the action that follows — on a label they are printed as combined statements, such as P305+P351+P338.
§ 03 · Composition and identifiers
Citric acid molecular structure
Citric acid is a molecular compound. The skeletal formula below is drawn from its PubChem SMILES string, and every value in this section is computed from that structure.
2D skeletal formula · C6H8O7
Functional groups
carboxylic acid, alcohol
Electron count
74 valence e⁻ · 14 lone pairs
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain). Structure diagram drawn with RDKit from the SMILES string. Geometry and hybridisation are computed from the connection table, not measured.
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Citric acid first aid measures
Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry CITRIC ACID. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.
EYES
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. If symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop, immediately transport the victim to a hospital.
SKIN
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Citric acid fire fighting measures
Fire and explosion hazard
Behavior in Fire: Melts and decomposes. The reaction is not hazardous.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Source: USCG, 1999 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: CITRIC ACID.
§ 06 · Accidental release measures
Citric acid spill and leak response
Containment and clean-up
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this chemical under refrigerated temperatures, and protect it from moisture.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: CITRIC ACID.
§ 07 · Handling and storage
Citric acid computed storage compatibility
Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.
⛔ Never store with
↔ Keep separate
Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →
§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties
Citric acid physical properties
Fire-relevant values first — flash point and explosion limits decide the storage and ventilation regime.
Autoignition
1010 °C
Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.
§ 10 · Stability and reactivity
Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Acids, Carboxylic, Alcohols and Polyols. Our database documents 37 incompatible and 33 caution reaction-partner groups for citric acid — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →
37
Incompatible
33
Caution
§ 11 · Toxicological information
Citric acid acute toxicity estimates
| Route | ATE value |
|---|---|
| Oral (mg/kg bw) | 17 |
| Dermal (mg/kg bw) | No data |
| Inhalation, gas (ppmV, 4 h) | No data |
| Inhalation, vapour (mg/L, 4 h) | No data |
| Inhalation, dust / mist (mg/L, 4 h) | No data |
Acute Toxicity Estimates (ATE) are regulatory values used for classification under CLP and OSHA HCS Appendix A — not a measure of "safe dose". Empty routes render as "No data", never as a numeric zero.
§ 13 · Disposal considerations
Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with local and national regulations — in the EU under the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Never discharge to drains or municipal waste; hand contaminated packaging and unused product to an authorised waste-disposal company. The supplier's SDS section 13 lists the applicable waste codes for the specific product.
MSDS vs SDS
Citric acid MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "citric acid MSDS" and a "citric acid SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Other organic acids in our database
Substance profile
What citric acid is
Physical and chemical properties with the conditions each value was measured under, synonyms, formula and the harmonised CLP classification →
Compliance hub
From classification to SDS
The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →
GHS label maker
Build the label for citric acid
Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →
§ 16 · Sources
- Classification: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), Annex VI
- Transport: UN ADR 2025 (UNECE), Table A
- Reactivity: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals reactive-group matrix (public domain)
- Physical properties: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain) — per-value source references stored in the database
- Emergency response (§4–§6): ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), all US federal public domain, reproduced verbatim
- Substance data: PubChem · ECHA
Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.
Frequently asked questions about citric acid
Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?
In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "citric acid MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
What GHS pictograms does citric acid require?
Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), citric acid carries GHS07 with the signal word "Warning". Hazard statements: H335, H319. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.
What should citric acid never be stored with?
Based on its storage class (Organic acids), citric acid must not share storage with: Bases; Cyanides & sulfides; Organic peroxides & self-reactives; Oxidizing acids; Oxidizers; Water-reactives. Verify against the supplier's SDS sections 7 and 10 before finalising storage.
Where can I download an official citric acid SDS PDF?
From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.
Call emergency services first
112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry CITRIC ACID — confirm it matches the form in front of you.
01 · First aid
What to do for the person
EYES
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. If symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop, immediately transport the victim to a hospital.
SKIN
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.
02 · Fire
Extinguishing and tactics
Fire and explosion hazard
Behavior in Fire: Melts and decomposes. The reaction is not hazardous.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
03 · Spill
Containment, isolation, evacuation
Containment and clean-up
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this chemical under refrigerated temperatures, and protect it from moisture.
Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.