YenzoWhat is E261 (potassium acetate)?
It is potassium acetate, the potassium salt of acetic acid (261i; 261ii is potassium diacetate). Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists potassium acetate (INS 261(i)) as acidity regulator and preservative.
E261Potassium acetates
E261 covers the potassium acetates, potassium salts of acetic acid: potassium acetate (261i) and potassium diacetate (261ii). In food they adjust acidity and help preservation.
- Code
- E261 · INS 261
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 E261 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (261), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
acidity regulator (261)acidity regulator 261E261INS 261On Vietnamese labels: Kali acetat
INS sub-codes
INS 261(i)Potassium acetate
INS 261(ii)Potassium diacetate
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
Potassium acetates 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 potassium acetates
Is potassium acetate 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 E261 permitted in Vietnam?
Potassium acetate (INS 261(i)) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, as an acidity regulator and preservative. Potassium diacetate (INS 261(ii)) is not listed there.
Can children and pregnant women have E261?
In the EU, potassium acetates (E261) 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
E260Acetic acidvery lowE262Sodium acetatesvery lowE263Calcium acetatevery lowE264Ammonium acetatevery lowE270Lactic acidvery lowE296Malic acidvery low
See all acidity regulators →Found in these products
Updated 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:e261)
- 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: Potassium acetate, INS 261(i)
- 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)