Lemon juice powder
Lemon juice powder suppliers and sourcing guide
Lemon juice powder is lemon juice (Citrus limon), usually from concentrate, that is spray-dried onto a carrier such as maltodextrin or gum arabic, since the juice's high acid and sugar content make it sticky to dry on its own. It gives lemon flavor and acidity in dry seasonings, drink mixes and bakery blends. Suppliers state the juice solids level and the acidity, measured as citric acid.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Citrus limon juice powder · dehydrated lemon juice · lemon juice solids
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of lemon juice powder
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Spray-dried with maltodextrin
The most common grade, a fine, free-flowing powder with a stated juice solids percentage.
Spray-dried with gum arabic
Uses acacia gum as the carrier for clean-label or maltodextrin-free products.
Freeze-dried
Juice freeze-dried with little or no carrier, higher in flavor and acidity, very hygroscopic.
Organic
Made from organic lemon juice and an organic carrier.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Acidity
- Titratable acidity calculated as anhydrous citric acid, the main measure of strength.
- Juice solids and identity
- Juice solids versus carrier, with flavor and odor checked against a standard; some buyers request authenticity testing for added citric acid.
- Moisture and water activity
- Loss on drying and water activity to keep the powder free-flowing.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Salmonella; low-moisture foods that are eaten without a cooking step need a negative Salmonella result per lot.
- Pesticides
- Multi-residue pesticide screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, covering post-harvest fungicides used on citrus.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place; the powder is hygroscopic and cakes quickly when opened in humid conditions. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older lots are checked for caking, color and flavor loss.
Lots and expiry dates
Acidity and juice solids vary by lot, which changes the sourness of a finished product, so record the measured acidity per lot and adjust if needed. Rotate first in, first out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 146.114 defines lemon juice as the unfermented juice, obtained by mechanical process, from sound, mature lemons (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.).
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists lemon juice with the technical effect pH control agent and cites 21 CFR 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.30(h)(1) lists 4.5 for single-strength lemon juice, expressed as anhydrous citric acid percent by weight rather than Brix, for calculating the percentage of juice from concentrate.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Lemon juice powder suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking lemon juice powder suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell lemon juice powder? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of lemon juice powder can brands buy?
Common forms include spray-dried with maltodextrin, spray-dried with gum arabic, freeze-dried and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for lemon juice powder include?
Expect acidity, juice solids and identity, moisture and water activity, microbiology and pesticides, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should lemon juice powder be stored?
Store sealed in moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place; the powder is hygroscopic and cakes quickly when opened in humid conditions. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older lots are checked for caking, color and flavor loss.
What is the regulatory status of lemon juice powder?
21 CFR 146.114 defines lemon juice as the unfermented juice, obtained by mechanical process, from sound, mature lemons (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.). FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists lemon juice with the technical effect pH control agent and cites 21 CFR 182.20. 21 CFR 101.30(h)(1) lists 4.5 for single-strength lemon juice, expressed as anhydrous citric acid percent by weight rather than Brix, for calculating the percentage of juice from concentrate.
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