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Acetic Acid (E260) — What You Need to Know

Safe(10/10)Natural

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Acetic Acid?

Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar, produced naturally through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It has been used in food preservation and flavoring for thousands of years across virtually all culinary traditions. At food-use concentrations (typically 4-8% in vinegar), it is completely safe and requires no usage limits.

What Is It Used For?

Used as an acidity regulator, preservative, and flavoring agent in a wide range of foods. It provides the characteristic sour taste of vinegar and acts as a natural antimicrobial to extend shelf life.

Function: Acidity regulator, preservative, flavoring agent

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions at food-grade concentrations.
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): No ADI needed. Classified as quantum satis (no numerical limit required). Considered safe at all food-use levels.
⚠️ Key Concerns

The fundamental acid of vinegar, consumed by humans for thousands of years. No safety concerns at food-use levels. EFSA classifies as quantum satis (no limit needed). Concentrated acetic acid (glacial acetic acid) is corrosive but dilute solutions used in food are completely safe. Has antimicrobial properties that have been exploited in food preservation since antiquity. Also used as a flavoring agent.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Acetic Acid an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 10/10. This is 1.2 points above the database average for acidity regulators (8.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2018.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

VinegarPicklesCondimentsSalad dressingsMayonnaiseKetchup
Example brands:
HeinzSarson's

Always check the label for E260 or 'Acetic Acid'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: C2H4O2
Molecular Weight: 60.05 g/mol
CAS Number: 64-19-7
INS Number: 260
Also known as: E260, INS 260, Ethanoic acid, Glacial acetic acid

Frequently Asked Questions about Acetic Acid

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions at food-grade concentrations.; EFSA/EU — No ADI needed. Classified as quantum satis (no numerical limit required). Considered safe at all food-use levels.. Reported concerns: The fundamental acid of vinegar, consumed by humans for thousands of years. No safety concerns at food-use levels. EFSA classifies as quantum satis (no limit needed). Concentrated acetic acid (glacial acetic acid) is corrosive but dilute solutions used in food are completely safe. Has antimicrobial properties that have been exploited in food preservation since antiquity. Also used as a flavoring agent. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E260
INS Number
260
Category
Acidity Regulators
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions at food-grade concentrations.
EFSA Status
No ADI needed. Classified as quantum satis (no numerical limit required). Considered safe at all food-use levels.
ADI
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2018
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

Related Additives

Other acidity regulators in the same family

Citric Acid (E330)Lactic Acid (E270)Malic Acid (E296)Fumaric Acid (E297)