Citric acid is used in food as a flavouring agent and preservative. It is used in processed food products like beverages, soft drinks etc. Due to its sour taste, it is used in making certain candies. Sometimes the sour candy is covered with white powder which is citric acid. Because of its acidic, sour-tasting nature, citric acid is predominantly used as a flavoring and preserving agent, especially in soft drinks and candies. It's also used to stabilize or preserve medicines and as a disinfectant. Citric acid is a compound originally derived from lemon juice. .