Sodium diacetate

Sodium diacetate (CAS 126-96-5), also designated E262ii, is a compound of sodium acetate and acetic acid used commercially as a preservative, acidulant, and flavoring agent. It delivers controlled acetic acid activity in solid form, giving formulators the functional profile of vinegar without handling liquid acid. In food manufacturing, it extends shelf life in baked goods.

It is used in meat products and snack seasonings by inhibiting mold and bacterial growth while contributing a mild vinegar flavor. Snack food producers apply it as a dry seasoning component on chips. On crackers, it replicates salt-and-vinegar taste profiles with consistent dosing. As a pH buffer, it stabilizes acidic conditions in processed and packaged foods where liquid acidulants are impractical.

In personal care formulations, it functions as a buffering agent and mild preservative booster in products requiring controlled acidity. This ensures stability and safety in various cosmetic applications. The product is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules, with granular forms preferred in dry blending and seasoning applications for improved flowability and handling.

Food-grade material conforming to FCC and E262ii specifications is the standard commercial offering. Technical-grade material is available for non-food industrial applications where certification is not required.