E260 · Acetic acid
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E260?
Acetic acid (E260) is the acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and sharp smell, and it is widely used in food as an acidity regulator and preservative in products like pickles, condiments, and bread. It works by lowering pH, which helps inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria and mold. Concentrated (glacial) acetic acid is corrosive, but the diluted forms used in food are safe at normal dietary levels.
Also appears on labels as: Acetic acid, E260, E 260, E-260, Ethanoic acid, Glacial acetic acid, Vinegar acid, Acidum aceticum, CH3COOH, Diluted acetic acid, Acetic solution, Food grade acetic acid.
What the evidence says
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels; vinegar and diluted acetic acid have long dietary history.
- Undiluted, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive and can irritate skin, eyes, and the digestive tract, but this is not relevant at food-use dilutions.
Frequently asked questions
Is E260 safe?
Our overall verdict for E260 (Acetic acid) is “Safe”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe; WHO: safe; EFSA: safe; FSANZ: safe; Japan: safe; UK FSA: safe; Health Canada: safe.
Is E260 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Acetic acid — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E260 and why is it used?
Acetic acid (E260) is the acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and sharp smell, and it is widely used in food as an acidity regulator and preservative in products like pickles, condiments, and bread. It works by lowering pH, which helps inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria and mold. Concentrated (glacial) acetic acid is corrosive, but the diluted forms used in food are safe at normal dietary levels.
Does E260 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Acetic acid.
Watch E260
Get an email if the EFSA or FDA position on Acetic acid changes, or when new research is added to this page.
EatMatrix reads any ingredient list with your camera and flags every additive instantly.
This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.