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E260 Acetic Acid is an organic acid widely used as an acidity regulator, preservative support ingredient, and flavoring agent in food and beverage applications, and E260 Acetic Acid is best known as the key acid in vinegar that provides characteristic sour taste and aroma.
E260 Acetic Acid is valued because E260 Acetic Acid lowers pH to help control microbial growth and enhances flavor brightness, and E260 Acetic Acid is used in pickling, sauces, dressings, and many processed foods.
E260 Acetic Acid is supplied in different concentrations and forms, and E260 Acetic Acid performance depends on dilution, buffering, and overall formulation design in the target product.
CAS Number: 64-19-7
EC Number: 200-580-7
Molecular Formula: C2H4O2
Molecular Weight: 60.05 g/mol
Synonyms: E260 Acetic Acid, Acetic Acid, Ethanoic Acid, Vinegar Acid (common naming), Food Grade Acetic Acid, Acetic Acid Solution, Glacial Acetic Acid (concentrated), Sweetener and Preservative Support Acid, Acetic Acid Acidity Regulator, E260, Acetic Acid Food Additive, Acetic Acid for Pickling, E260 Acetic Acid, Acetic Acid, Ethanoic Acid, Acetate Acid, Glacial Acetic Acid, Dilute Acetic Acid, Vinegar Acid, Methanecarboxylic Acid, AcOH, CH3COOH, C2H4O2, Acetic Acid Solution, Acetic Acid Glacial, Acetic Acid Food Grade, Acetic Acid Technical Grade, Acetic Acid Pharmaceutical Grade, Acetic Acid Industrial Grade, Acetic Acid Reagent Grade, Acetic Acid Analytical Grade, Acetic Acid Laboratory Grade, Acetic Acid Pure, Acetic Acid High Purity, Acetic Acid FCC, Acetic Acid USP, Acetic Acid BP, Acetic Acid EP, Acetic Acid JP, Acetic Acid NF, Acetic Acid Food Additive, Acetic Acid Preservative, Acetic Acid Acidity Regulator, Acetic Acid pH Regulator, Acetic Acid Acidulant, Acetic Acid Flavoring Agent, Acetic Acid Processing Aid, Acetic Acid Antimicrobial, Acetic Acid Antibacterial Agent, Acetic Acid Chemical Intermediate, Acetic Acid Organic Acid, Acetic Acid Carboxylic Acid, Acetic Acid Monocarboxylic Acid, Acetic Acid Saturated Carboxylic Acid, Acetic Acid Volatile Acid, Acetic Acid Clear Liquid, Acetic Acid Colorless Liquid, Acetic Acid Liquid
APPLICATIONS
E260 Acetic Acid is used in pickles and pickled vegetables to lower pH and provide characteristic vinegar flavor.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into brines to improve microbial stability and extend shelf life when used with proper processing.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in pickled seafood and meats in some traditional applications to support preservation and flavor.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in sauces and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and hot sauces to adjust acidity and enhance flavor brightness.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into salad dressings to provide tangy taste and stabilize pH for product consistency.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in mayonnaise and mayonnaise-type products to control pH and support microbiological safety.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in bakery products to adjust pH in dough systems and to support leavening reactions in compatible formulations.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into bread and tortillas in some systems to support mold control strategies and shelf life.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in baked snacks to provide sour flavor notes and pH adjustment.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in processed meats to control pH and enhance flavor, especially in cured and marinated products.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into marinades to improve flavor penetration and support microbial control.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in meat analog products to adjust acidity and improve taste balance.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in cheese and dairy processing in selected applications to adjust pH and support texture formation.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into dairy-based sauces to provide acidity and flavor brightness.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in fermented dairy products to support flavor adjustment when needed.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in beverages to adjust acidity and enhance flavor profile in selected formulations.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into flavored drinks and syrups to provide sourness and balance sweetness.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in vinegar-based functional beverages to provide characteristic taste and acidity.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in candy and sour confectionery to provide sharp acidity and enhance fruit flavors.
E260 Acetic Acid is incorporated into sour gels and chewy candies to adjust tartness and flavor impact.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in seasoning blends and snack coatings to provide tangy notes in compatible applications.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in food processing sanitation and cleaning in some contexts, but E260 Acetic Acid must be handled carefully due to corrosive properties at high concentrations.
E260 Acetic Acid is valued because E260 Acetic Acid provides reliable acidity control, characteristic flavor, and preservation support across many food categories when used at appropriate concentrations.
E260 Acetic Acid is used as an acidulant in food to provide sour taste and pH control.
E260 Acetic Acid supports flavor brightness and balances sweetness in many formulations.
E260 Acetic Acid helps inhibit microbial growth by lowering product pH.
E260 Acetic Acid is used as the key acid in vinegar-based foods and condiments.
E260 Acetic Acid supports characteristic vinegar flavor in pickles and sauces.
E260 Acetic Acid helps stabilize shelf life of acidified foods.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in pickling of vegetables to preserve texture and safety.
E260 Acetic Acid supports rapid pH reduction to safe levels in pickled products.
E260 Acetic Acid helps control spoilage organisms in brines.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in salad dressings to provide acidity and emulsion stability support.
E260 Acetic Acid supports flavor sharpness in vinaigrettes and creamy dressings.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve microbiological stability of dressings.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in mayonnaise-type sauces to adjust pH and flavor.
E260 Acetic Acid supports tangy taste and balances fat-rich mouthfeel.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve preservative efficacy in acidified sauces.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in ketchup and tomato sauces to adjust acidity and stabilize flavor.
E260 Acetic Acid supports controlled pH for consistent taste and stability.
E260 Acetic Acid helps inhibit microbial growth in sauces.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in hot sauces to control pH and support stable shelf life.
E260 Acetic Acid supports vinegar-like tang and flavor complexity.
E260 Acetic Acid helps reduce need for harsh thermal processing in some products.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in marinades to provide tangy flavor and improve preservation.
E260 Acetic Acid supports pH reduction that can help control surface microbes.
E260 Acetic Acid helps enhance flavor penetration in marinated foods.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in meat and poultry processing as a pH adjuster in some applications.
E260 Acetic Acid supports microbial control strategies when used within approved limits.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve flavor and preservation in some ready-to-eat products.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in bakery to adjust pH in dough systems in some formulations.
E260 Acetic Acid supports flavor development and can influence leavening reactions.
E260 Acetic Acid helps control microbial spoilage in certain baked goods and fillings.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in confectionery to provide sour flavor notes in some candies.
E260 Acetic Acid supports tartness in sour coatings and chewy candies.
E260 Acetic Acid helps balance fruit flavor systems with acidity.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in beverage production to adjust acidity in some specialty drinks.
E260 Acetic Acid supports flavor balance in savory or fermented beverage concepts.
E260 Acetic Acid helps control pH for stability in selected beverage systems.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in cheese making to adjust acidity during curd formation in some processes.
E260 Acetic Acid supports controlled protein coagulation under defined conditions.
E260 Acetic Acid helps fine-tune texture and yield in certain dairy processes.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in food processing as a cleaning and descaling aid in some operations.
E260 Acetic Acid supports removal of mineral deposits in equipment cleaning.
E260 Acetic Acid helps reduce odors and residues in food-contact cleaning when properly rinsed.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in household cleaners as a descaler and deodorizer.
E260 Acetic Acid supports removal of limescale from kettles and bathroom surfaces.
E260 Acetic Acid helps neutralize odors and dissolve alkaline residues.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in industrial cleaning to dissolve scale and mineral deposits.
E260 Acetic Acid supports cleaning of heat exchangers and pipework in some systems.
E260 Acetic Acid helps reduce carbonate scaling in process equipment.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in water treatment to adjust pH in some processes.
E260 Acetic Acid supports controlled pH correction in treatment systems.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve performance of downstream treatment chemistry.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in textile processing for neutralization and pH control.
E260 Acetic Acid supports pH adjustment after alkaline scouring or bleaching.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve dye uptake consistency in some dyeing operations.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in leather processing for pickling and pH adjustment in some steps.
E260 Acetic Acid supports controlled acidity for tanning preparation processes.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve penetration of tanning agents under defined conditions.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in polymer production as a solvent or reaction medium in some processes.
E260 Acetic Acid supports acetylation chemistry in cellulose acetate manufacturing.
E260 Acetic Acid helps control reaction conditions in selected organic syntheses.
E260 Acetic Acid is used as a chemical intermediate to produce vinyl acetate monomer.
E260 Acetic Acid supports production of polymers such as polyvinyl acetate and PVA derivatives.
E260 Acetic Acid helps enable large-scale manufacture of adhesives and coatings intermediates.
E260 Acetic Acid is used as a chemical intermediate for producing acetic anhydride.
E260 Acetic Acid supports acetylation processes in pharmaceuticals and cellulose derivatives.
E260 Acetic Acid helps supply key feedstock for industrial acetylation chemistry.
E260 Acetic Acid is used as a chemical intermediate to produce acetate esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate.
E260 Acetic Acid supports manufacture of solvents used in coatings and inks.
E260 Acetic Acid helps enable production of fast-evaporating industrial solvents.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in laboratory chemistry as a reagent and pH adjuster.
E260 Acetic Acid supports preparation of acetate buffers for analytical methods.
E260 Acetic Acid helps control pH in biochemical and analytical experiments.
E260 Acetic Acid is used to prepare acetate buffer systems in analytical chemistry.
E260 Acetic Acid supports stable pH conditions for chromatography and titrations.
E260 Acetic Acid helps maintain reproducible results in pH-sensitive analyses.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing as a pH adjuster in some formulations.
E260 Acetic Acid supports control of pH in solutions and suspensions where appropriate.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve stability of some active ingredients by pH adjustment.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in cosmetics as a pH adjuster in some products.
E260 Acetic Acid supports pH balancing in toners, cleansers, and hair products.
E260 Acetic Acid helps maintain product stability and mildness when correctly formulated.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in hair care as an acidifier in some rinse products.
E260 Acetic Acid supports closing of hair cuticle perception and improved shine.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve manageability by reducing alkaline residue effects.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in agriculture as a pH adjuster in some spray solutions.
E260 Acetic Acid supports acidification of spray tanks to improve performance of certain actives in some cases.
E260 Acetic Acid helps reduce alkaline hydrolysis risk for pH-sensitive agrochemicals in some situations.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in silage preservation as an acidifying agent in some practices.
E260 Acetic Acid supports inhibition of undesirable microbes during ensiling.
E260 Acetic Acid helps improve stability of stored animal feed under controlled use.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in product development to tune acidity and preservative systems in foods.
E260 Acetic Acid supports achieving target pH while maintaining desired flavor profile.
E260 Acetic Acid helps optimize microbial stability and sensory acceptance simultaneously.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in manufacturing troubleshooting to correct pH drift in acidified foods.
E260 Acetic Acid supports rapid adjustment to meet specification pH.
E260 Acetic Acid helps prevent spoilage and off-flavor issues caused by incorrect acidity.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in quality control to verify acidity, pH, and concentration in food and industrial products.
E260 Acetic Acid supports titration-based testing for acetic acid content.
E260 Acetic Acid helps ensure batch-to-batch consistency and regulatory compliance.
E260 Acetic Acid is used in education and training as a standard example of weak acids and buffer chemistry.
E260 Acetic Acid supports teaching about pKa, dissociation, and acid–base equilibria.
E260 Acetic Acid helps demonstrate buffer preparation and titration principles.
DESCRIPTION
E260 Acetic Acid is a simple carboxylic acid that occurs naturally in fermented foods and is the main acid responsible for vinegar’s sour taste and pungent aroma.
E260 Acetic Acid lowers pH, and this pH reduction can inhibit growth of many spoilage organisms and pathogens when combined with proper food processing controls.
E260 Acetic Acid can contribute directly to flavor, and E260 Acetic Acid is used both for functional pH control and for distinctive vinegar-like taste.
E260 Acetic Acid is often supplied as aqueous solutions of varying strength, and glacial acetic acid refers to highly concentrated acetic acid that requires careful handling and controlled dilution.
E260 Acetic Acid is compatible with many ingredients, but buffering salts and proteins can reduce perceived acidity, so formulation design must account for pH and titratable acidity.
E260 Acetic Acid should be used according to applicable food additive regulations and good manufacturing practices for the target market.
E260 Acetic Acid is corrosive at high concentrations and can cause burns, so PPE and careful handling are required in industrial environments.
E260 Acetic Acid has a strong odor, and adequate ventilation is important during handling and dilution.
E260 Acetic Acid should be stored in corrosion-resistant containers away from incompatible chemicals such as strong oxidizers and strong bases.
E260 Acetic Acid is a weak acid that partially dissociates in water and forms acetate salts with bases.
E260 Acetic Acid is widely used as an acidulant and preservative in foods by lowering pH.
E260 Acetic Acid provides characteristic sour taste and vinegar aroma in many culinary products.
E260 Acetic Acid is produced industrially in large volumes and serves as a key building block for many chemicals.
E260 Acetic Acid is used to manufacture vinyl acetate monomer, acetic anhydride, and acetate ester solvents.
E260 Acetic Acid can be corrosive at higher concentrations and requires appropriate handling and materials compatibility.
E260 Acetic Acid should be stored in tightly closed containers away from incompatible oxidizers and strong bases.
E260 Acetic Acid is valued for versatility, predictable acidity, and broad use across food, cleaning, and chemical manufacturing.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Formula: C2H4O2
Molecular Weight: 60.05 g/mol
Common Name: E260 Acetic Acid
Chemical Type: Organic acid; acidity regulator; flavoring and preservative support acid
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Strong, pungent vinegar-like odor
Taste: Sour, sharp acidic taste
Solubility: Miscible with water
Boiling Point: ~118°C (typical)
Melting Point: ~16.6°C (glacial acetic acid; typical)
pKa: ~4.76 (typical)
Stability: Stable under normal storage; reacts with strong bases and oxidizers
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, ventilated area
Shelf Life: Typically 24–60 months in original sealed packaging (supplier dependent)
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air immediately if vapors are inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, breathing difficulty, or irritation persists.
Provide oxygen if trained personnel determine it is needed.
Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with plenty of water.
Wash with soap and water after thorough rinsing.
Seek medical attention for burns or persistent irritation.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek immediate medical attention because eye exposure can cause serious injury.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.
Give water to drink if the person is conscious and not convulsing.
Seek immediate medical attention, especially for concentrated solutions.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
Assess for corrosive injury to mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract.
Provide supportive care as needed.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or face shield, and protective clothing for concentrated E260 Acetic Acid.
Avoid breathing vapors and avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Add acid to water slowly during dilution to control heat release and splashing.
Ventilation:
Use local exhaust or general ventilation to control vapor levels.
Avoid working in confined spaces without adequate airflow.
Keep containers closed when not in use to minimize fumes.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers in a cool, well-ventilated area.
Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong bases, and reactive metals.
Protect from heat and direct sunlight and keep containers properly labeled.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Ventilate the area and use appropriate PPE for spill response.
Contain spill with inert absorbent and neutralize carefully with suitable neutralizing agent if trained and permitted.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations and facility procedures.
Handling Precautions:
Control concentration and dosing because E260 Acetic Acid is corrosive at high strength and can significantly affect pH and flavor.
Verify product pH and titratable acidity during formulation to ensure microbial safety and desired sensory profile.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices and inspect containers for compatibility and integrity.
