INS 260 is the code for acetic acid
The acid in vinegar. Sharpens taste and lowers pH enough to slow spoilage in pickles, sauces and chutneys.
- What it does
- Controls acidity An acidity regulator
- Also printed as
- Glacial acetic acid
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- Takes no points off Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 220 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 260 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 260 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Sauces and condiments | 53% | |
| Bread and buns | 28% | |
| Biscuits and cookies | 6% | |
| Spreads and jams | 4% | |
| Chips and crisps | 3% | |
| Everything else | 7% |
Counted from the 220 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 260, 190 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 260?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
An ordinary food acid with no numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels.
Does Zabel mark INS 260 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 260?
INS 260 is the code for acetic acid, an acidity regulator. The acid in vinegar. Sharpens taste and lowers pH enough to slow spoilage in pickles, sauces and chutneys.
Is INS 260 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 260 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 260?
An ordinary food acid with no numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels.
Does Zabel mark INS 260 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 260 printed under?
Packs also print it as Glacial acetic acid, or as the bare number 260 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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