YenzoWhat is E260 (acetic acid)?
It is glacial acetic acid. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists E260 as acidity regulator and preservative.
E260Acetic acid
E260 is acetic acid, the acid that makes vinegar sour. In food it adjusts acidity and helps preservation; it is often used in sauces, pickles and ketchup.
- Code
- E260 · INS 260
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E260 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (260), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
acidity regulator (260)acidity regulator 260E260INS 260On Vietnamese labels: Acid acetic băng
Acetic acid in food
Milk, cheese, cream
Processed fruit and vegetables
ConfectioneryBaked goodsPasta, breakfast cereals
Processed meatProcessed and canned fish and seafoodSeasonings, vinegar, saucesFlavoured drinks, beer, wine
Questions about acetic acid
Is acetic acid harmful?
JECFA (the FAO/WHO expert committee) gave acetic acid and its potassium and sodium salts a group ADI of “not limited” in 1973 and kept it in 1997.
Is E260 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Glacial acetic acid (INS 260) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, as an acidity regulator and preservative.
Can children and pregnant women have E260?
In the EU, acetic acid (E260) is permitted in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods (Annex II, Part E, category 13.1.3 of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008), only for pH adjustment, at “quantum satis” — the amount needed for the purpose, with no numerical maximum. The Regulation has no separate provision for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other acidity regulators
E261Potassium acetatesvery lowE262Sodium acetatesvery lowE263Calcium acetatevery lowE264Ammonium acetatevery lowE270Lactic acidvery lowE296Malic acidvery low
See all acidity regulators →Found in these products
Tương cà Chin-Su (tomato ketchup)Chin-Su · sauces and dips
Xúc xích phô mai CP (cheese sausage)CP · sausages and processed meat
Nước mắm nêm Mega Chef (seasoned fish sauce)Mega Chef · sauces and dips
Sốt mayonnaise SimplySimply · sauces and dipsUpdated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e260)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 3 (danh mục phụ gia và nhóm thực phẩm dùng theo GMP) và Phụ lục 2A
- JECFA (FAO/WHO) evaluation database: Glacial acetic acid, INS 260
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (consolidated text of 18.08.2026): Annex II, Part E, category 13.1.3 (processed cereal-based foods and baby foods)