20% Diluted Acetic Acid Food Grade

Product Overview

20% Diluted Acetic Acid is a food-grade solution derived from acetic acid (C₂H₄O₂), characterized by its clear appearance and pungent odor. This solution is manufactured to strict food-grade specifications, ensuring suitability for direct addition to select food processes where controlled acidity, flavor enhancement, and microbial inhibition are required. The product is supplied as a stable, water-miscible liquid with a typical acetic acid assay of 20 wt% (range 19-21 wt%), enabling precise dosing in processing lines and preserved shelf life when stored under recommended conditions.

In addition to its role as a preservative and flavor modifier, 20% Diluted Acetic Acid serves as a pH adjustment agent in various food manufacturing applications. Its compatibility with a range of processing systems, combined with controlled trace inorganic impurity levels (as verified by rigorous ICP-OES and IC testing), supports consistent product quality across batches. The solution is suitable for manufacturing environments seeking a predictable acidity source with documented compliance to food-grade standards.

Key Properties

• Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
• Odor: Pungent, vinegar-like
• Chemical Formula: C₂H₄O₂
• Molecular Weight: 60.05 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 100°C
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 1.04–1.08 (typical 1.06)
• Density (25°C): 1.05 g/mL
• Solubility: Soluble in water
• Flash Point: 11°C (52°F)
• pH (aqueous solution): Adjusted by formulation context; typical ranges align with food-grade acidity requirements
• Refractive Index (20°C): 1.373
• Residue After Ignition: ≤0.05% (typical 0.01%)
• Assay (Acetic Acid, wt%): 19–21% (typical 20%), via titration with standardized NaOH
• Heavy Metal (Pb): ≤0.1 ppm (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Arsenic (As): ≤0.01 ppm (typical 0.003 ppm)
• Iron (Fe): ≤0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Copper (Cu): ≤0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Manganese (Mn): ≤0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Nickel (Ni): ≤0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Chromium (Cr): ≤0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Zinc (Zn): ≤1 ppm (typical 0.2 ppm)
• Calcium (Ca): ≤200 ppm (typical 50 ppm)
• Magnesium (Mg): ≤200 ppm (typical 50 ppm)
• Sodium (Na): ≤150 ppm (typical 40 ppm)
• Potassium (K): ≤150 ppm (typical 40 ppm)
• Chloride (Cl⁻): ≤50 ppm (typical 10 ppm)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻): ≤20 ppm (typical 5 ppm)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): ≤30 ppm (typical 5 ppm)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): ≤20 ppm (typical 5 ppm)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): ≤10 ppm (typical 2 ppm)
• Chloride, Nitrate, Sulfate, Phosphate test method: Ion Chromatography
• Heavy metals, Arsenic, and other metals test method: ICP-OES / ICP-MS
• Assay Test Method: Titration with standardized NaOH
• Purity Notes: Trace acetic acid activity; purity adjusted for food-grade compliance

Common Applications

• Food Preservation: Used as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth in dressings, pickles, sauces, and other processed foods, meeting food-grade safety expectations and regulatory limits.
• Flavoring Agent: Enhances acidity-driven flavor profiles in vinaigrettes, marinades, and ready-to-use culinary sauces while maintaining product integrity.
• pH Adjustment: Precise acidity modulation in formulation processes to achieve targeted sensory outcomes and microbiological stability.
• Cleaning Agent: Natural, food-compatible cleaner for kitchen surfaces and equipment where controlled acidity is advantageous.
• Fermentation Medium: Serves as a substrate component in vinegar production and related fermentation workflows to establish desired acetic-acid environments.
• Texture and Stability Control: Supports emulsion and suspension stability in complex food matrices by maintaining consistent pH and ionic balance.

Safety Precautions

Handle with appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistance gloves and splash-protective goggles, when transferring or diluting the solution. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight in HDPE or glass containers to prevent container interaction and maintain assay integrity. Ensure adequate ventilation to minimize inhalation exposure and prevent vapors from accumulating in work areas. Follow the SDS guidance and avoid contact with strong oxidizers or bases which may cause exothermic reactions.

In case of exposure, refer to the SDS for first aid measures: rinse eyes or skin with water for several minutes; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical attention for exposure beyond mild irritation. For ingestion or inhalation incidents, call emergency services and provide product information, including the UN 2790 designation and the Class 8 packaging standard. Maintain accessible eyewash stations and rinse facilities in processing areas.

Benefits

✔ Food-Grade Compliance – Meets Food Grade specifications for safe consumption and regulatory alignment in food processing applications.
✔ Precise Acidity Source – 19–21% acetic acid with stable performance for reproducible dosing and flavor development.
✔ Controlled Impurity Profile – ICP-OES and IC testing establish stringent heavy metals and anion limits suitable for culinary and processing environments.
✔ High Purity with Traceability – Documented COA and suitability for HACCP-based systems, with clear lot-to-lot traceability.