Find patient medical information for sodium citrate-citric acid oral on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. Sodium citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid. It has a sour taste similar to citric acid, and is salty as well. It is often used as a food preservative, and as a flavoring in the food industry. In the pharmaceutical industry it is used to control pH. It may be used as an alkalizing agent, buffering agent, emulsifier, or sequestering agent. Mz9Vap.