Comparing E260 - Acetic acid vs E263 - Calcium acetate

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.

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E263 - Calcium acetate

Calcium acetate (E263) is a calcium salt of acetic acid used in foods to control acidity, help preserve freshness, and support texture. It is commonly found in bakery items and other processed foods where a mild acid and a source of calcium are useful. Safety reviews by regulators consider its approved uses to be acceptable.

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Synonyms
E260
Acetic acid
ethanoic acid
E263
Calcium acetate
Functions
acidity regulatorpreservative
acidity regulatorstabilizer
Origins
Microbiological
Synthetic
Microbiological
Synthetic
Mineral
Products

Found in 3,047 products

Found in 376 products

Search rank & volume
#2987.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#12013.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×4.19
over-aware

×5.03
over-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.

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Popular questions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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  1. What is calcium acetate used for?

    As a food additive (E263), it’s used as a preservative and stabilizer to inhibit mold growth, help maintain texture, and can aid in buffering acidity in foods.

  2. Is calcium acetate soluble in water?

    Yes—calcium acetate is highly soluble in water; it is poorly soluble in ethanol.

  3. What is the formula for calcium acetate?

    Ca(C2H3O2)2; the common commercial form is the monohydrate, Ca(C2H3O2)2·H2O.

  4. Calcium acetate 667 mg para que sirve?

    Como aditivo alimentario (E263), se usa como conservante y estabilizante para frenar mohos y ayudar a mantener la textura. En medicina, el comprimido/cápsula de 667 mg se usa como quelante de fosfato en enfermedad renal crónica.

  5. Calcium acetate para que sirve?

    Como aditivo alimentario (E263), sirve de conservante y estabilizante, ayudando a controlar la acidez y la textura de los alimentos. Fuera del ámbito alimentario, también se usa como quelante de fosfato en pacientes con enfermedad renal.

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