Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) – physicochemical properties, practical applications, and price analysis in Polish and international markets
Laura Schneider
2026-03-22
3 min. read
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Within Polish culinary traditions, food-grade vinegar serves as an essential ingredient in numerous dishes—ranging from vegetable pickles to delicatessen meats and preserved food products. Its production, however, relies on concentrated ethanoic acid (commonly referred to as acetic acid), which is designated as E260 in the European Union’s food additive numbering system. Far beyond its culinary applications, this compound plays a critical role in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and large-scale food preservation. Its chemical reactivity and antimicrobial properties render it indispensable across multiple economic sectors.
Acetic acid
Oxygen is used for food purposes in the form of vinegar, i.e. aqueous solutions containing 3,515,5% of this acid. It is listed on list E. It contains all food additives approved in the European Union countries. E260 is a preservative intended to prolong the durability and shelf life of products. Its function is also to prevent the spread of fungi and bacteria.
Acetic acid properties
Oxylic acid in its pure form is a colourless, edible liquid that mixes perfectly with water. It has strong hygroscopic properties by absorbing moisture from the air. When you open a bottle of vinegar, you can see it cooling down and the walls are shrouded.
Acetic acid use
In food production, acetic acid is used as a food preservative. In cooking, it is nothing more than a diluted acidic acid. It is used, among others, for mayonnaise, meat jellies, and for preserving cucumbers. Due to its specific aroma, E260 is often added to many foods. It can also be found in products such as mozzarella, mustard cheese, some types of bread, marinades, or fruit and vegetables packaged in jars or cans.
Acidic acid is the price
As I mentioned above, vinegar is the result of the dilution of an acetic acid solution. On store shelves we can find different types of vinegar which differ from one another e.g. by composition, company, use or price. The best known but also the cheapest is acidic vinegar, which costs only PLN 2.49 per litre. Another type of acetate can be vinegar guilty, most commonly found in Mediterranean kitchens. 500 million of this product costs about 5.99 million.
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