Compare E260 vs E262, Acetic acid vs Sodium acetates

Overview

E260 - Acetic acid

Acetic acid (E260) is the sharp-tasting organic acid that gives vinegar its sour flavor and smell. In food, it is used mainly to acidify and preserve products like pickles and sauces, and it appears on labels as acetic acid, E260, or vinegar. Regulators in the U.S. and EU consider it safe when used as intended.

E262 - Sodium acetates

Sodium acetates (E262) are salts of acetic acid used to regulate acidity, add a tangy “salt-and-vinegar” taste, and help keep foods fresh. The group includes sodium acetate and sodium diacetate, both widely used in snacks, baked goods, and some meat and poultry products.

Synonyms

E260

Acetic acid

ethanoic acid

E262

Sodium acetates

Functions

acidity regulator preservative

Origins

Products

Found in 3,047 products

Found in 5,778 products

Search rank & volume

#2987.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#46460 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×4.19

over-aware

×0.00

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Is acetic acid a strong acid?
No—acetic acid (E260) is a weak acid in water (pKa ≈ 4.76), though concentrated (glacial) acetic acid is corrosive.
Is vinegar acetic acid?
Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid in water (typically about 4–8% acetic acid by volume), not pure acetic acid.
What is acetic acid used for?
In foods, E260 is used as an acidity regulator, preservative, and flavoring (e.g., pickling, sauces); industrially it’s a precursor to vinyl acetate and cellulose acetate and is used in descaling/cleaning.
Which statement describes the acid found in vinegar acetic acid?
It is a weak organic acid (ethanoic acid, CH3COOH) that gives vinegar its sour taste and antimicrobial effect; food-grade vinegar contains at least about 4% acetic acid by volume.
Is acetic acid polar?
Yes—acetic acid is a polar, hydrogen-bonding (protic) molecule due to its carboxyl group, and it mixes well with water and many polar solvents.

Comparing E260 - Acetic acid vs E262 - Sodium acetates