Sodium citrate is chiefly used as a food additive , usually for flavor or as a preservative. Sodium citrate is employed as a flavoring agent in certain varieties of club . It is also used as an acidity regulator.

Sodium citrate is common as an ingredient in lemon-lime and citrus soft duinks such as Ting ,Chinotto , and some Ocean spray juices, contributing to their tart tastes, and can also be found in such energy drinks as Rockstar and Red Bull.

As a conjugate base of a weak acid, citrate can perform as a buffering agent, resisting changes in PH. Sodium citrate is used to control acidity in some substances, such as gelatin desserts. It can be found in the mini milk containers used with coffee machines. The compound is the product of antacids such as Alka-Seltzer when they are dissolved in water.