Acetic acid, sometimes called ethanoic acid or ethylic acid, is an organic acid and the simplest carboxylic acid. It is known for giving vinegar its sour taste and smell. Though the ingredient is used in a wide range of fields, the oldest and most commonly known role of acetic acid is being the forerunner to vinegar. When undiluted, it is known as Glacial Acetic Acid.

Acetic acid is used in food grade & ester production and it is also used as a solvent in various industrial applications. A major use of acetic acid is for the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) and also in food grade products.

Food Uses for Acetic Acid

Acetic acid is the main component to vinegar, serving as 3% to 18% of vinegar’s volume by mass. The rest of the solution is water. Vinegar is typically used as a condiment, though it’s sometimes used a pickling agent in canned foods. The ingredient changes the taste of foods, giving them a sour taste and odor. The sour tang that is present in pickles, sourdough bread and sweet and sour chips come from glacial acetic acid.

Acetic Acid as an Antiseptic

Glacial acetic acid can also be used as an antiseptic to disinfect food preparation surfaces. The antibacterial properties kill staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria. The ingredient can even be used to treat certain infections that are not responding to antibiotics. Acetic acid is listed as an important medication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been used in medicine for hundreds of years.

Safety of Acetic Acid, Food Grade

When used according to good manufacturing processes, acetic acid is generally recognized as safe for foods. To be produced under good practices means that the acid must be free from harmful impurities and sold under its own name. It should not be used for consumer deception, such as by referring to the ingredient as vinegar in pickled foods.

Silver Fern Chemical carries Acetic Acid that meets all requirements of the Food Chemical Codex. We offer Acetic Acid in tanker trucks, 55 gallon drums and 275 gallon IBCs (totes)

To place an order with our company, please call us today at 1-866-282-3384. You can also learn more about acetic acid and its many uses in the food industry by downloading our technical data sheet.