Is citric acid manufactured from fermented molasses unlawful to consume?

It is permissible to use citric acid or lemon salt, whether natural or artificial. If the manufacturing process involves a stage where the liquid is intoxicating or mixed with an intoxicant, this does not prevent the use of the final product which is not intoxicating. This is similar to the issue of transforming wine into vinegar. The purpose of manufacturing citric acid is to obtain the acid, not to intoxicate; its fermentation is unintentional. Rather, the intended product is the citric acid itself.