E262; Sodium Acetate

(in 1,018 products)

1. Acidity Regulator / Buffering Agent - Changes or maintains the acidity or basicity of food/cosmetics.

2. Fragrance / Fragrance Component - Provides or enhances a particular smell or odor.

3. Preservative - Prevents and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful

Sodium Acetate Anhydrous is the anhydrous, sodium salt form of acetic acid . Sodium acetate anhydrous disassociates in water to form sodium ions (Na+) and acetate ions. Sodium is the principal cation of the extracellular fluid and plays a large part in fluid and electrolyte replacement therapies. Sodium acetate anhydrous is used as an electrolyte replenisher in isosmotic solution for parenteral replacement of acute losses of extracellular fluid without disturbing normal electrolyte balance.

Sodium acetate may be added to food as a seasoning, sometimes in the form of sodium diacetate, a one-to-one complex of sodium acetate and acetic acid, given the E-number E262. It is often used to give potato chips a salt and vinegar flavor. As the conjugate base of acetic acid, a solution of sodium acetate and acetic acid can act as a buffer to keep a relatively constant pH level. This is useful especially in biochemical applications where reactions are pH-dependent in a mildly acidic range (pH 4-6).

It is approved to use as food additive in EU. In US, it is generally recognized as safe food substance.

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/517045

1. US FDA Food Additives Status List [2018]

- Sodium acetate

2. EU Approved Food Additive [2018]

- E262

3. Japan’s List of Designated Food Additives under Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Act

- Sodium Acetate

4. US FDA Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Food Substances (21 CFR 184) [2017]

- § 184.1721 - Sodium acetate

5. International Fragrance Association Transparency List [2015]

- Sodium acetate