Sodium Diacetate Food Grade (E262(ii))

Looking for a different grade? For animal feed and silage preservation, please visit our Feed Grade Sodium Diacetate page.

Food Grade Sodium Diacetate

Food grade sodium diacetate (SDA, E262(ii)) is a food preservative meeting GB 25538-2010, FCC, and Codex Alimentarius standards. As a sodium diacetate preservative, it provides controlled acetic acid release and pH buffering in bakery, processed meats, and sauces.

The balanced ratio of sodium acetate and free acetic acid creates a stable self-buffering system at pH 4.5-5.0, supporting reliable antimicrobial performance without the harsh sourness of pure acetic acid, making it suitable for direct human consumption.

Applications

Bakery Products: Used as a preservative in bread, cakes, and pastries. It helps extend shelf life by inhibiting mold growth while complying with GB 2760 limits (≤ 3 g/kg) and applicable local food regulations, without imparting excessive sourness.

Processed Meats: Applied in sausages, ham, and ready-to-eat meats. The dual-component system acidifies the meat matrix to pH 4.5-5.0, inhibiting spoilage organisms like Lactobacillus and yeasts under refrigerated or ambient storage conditions.

Sauces and Dressings: Employed where acidity regulation and microbial stability must coexist. The self-buffering nature of SDA resists pH shifts from ingredient variability or post-opening contamination.

Snack Coatings: Utilized in seasoning blends where a mild sour flavor enhancement complements the preservative function, supporting clean-label positioning in seasoned nuts, chips, and extruded snacks.

Key Features

Strict heavy metal limits (≤ 2 mg/kg lead, ≤ 0.3 mg/kg arsenic) ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The product provides stable preservation and flavor stability in bakery, meat, and sauce applications.

Product Comparison

Parameter	Food Grade Sodium Diacetate	Feed Grade Sodium Diacetate
Standard	GB 25538-2010 / FCC / Codex	NY/T 1421-2007
Active Components	Sodium acetate 58.0% – 60.0% + free acetic acid 34.9% – 41.0%	Sodium diacetate ≥ 56.0%
Acetic Acid Release	34.9% – 41.0% (Free)	Gradually released during application
Moisture	≤ 2.0% loss on drying	≤ 4.0%
Lead (Pb)	≤ 2 mg/kg	≤ 5 mg/kg
Arsenic (As)	≤ 0.3 mg/kg	≤ 1 mg/kg
Primary Application	Bakery, meat, sauces, direct human consumption	Animal feed, premix preservation

Technical Specifications

CAS Number	126-96-5
EINECS Number	204-814-9
E Number / INS Number	E262(ii)
Molecular Formula	C4H7NaO4
Appearance	White crystalline powder or granules
pH (10% solution, 25°C)	4.5 – 5.0
Applicable Standards	GB 25538-2010 / FCC / Codex Alimentarius
Free Acetic Acid (dry basis)	34.9% – 41.0%
Sodium Acetate (dry basis)	58.0% – 60.0%
Loss on Drying	≤ 2.0%
Lead (Pb)	≤ 2 mg/kg
Arsenic (As)	≤ 0.3 mg/kg

Standard Specifications and Packaging Options

Food Grade Sodium Diacetate (E262(ii))

Compliant with Codex Alimentarius, GB 25538-2010, FCC, and FAO-JECFA specifications.

• Free acetic acid (dry basis): 34.9% – 41.0%
• Sodium acetate (dry basis): 58.0% – 60.0%
• Loss on drying: ≤ 2.0%
• pH (10% solution): 4.5 – 5.0
• Easily oxidizable substances: ≤ 0.2%
• Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤ 2 mg/kg
• Arsenic (As): ≤ 0.3 mg/kg

Packaging Options

• 25 kg paper-plastic composite bags or PP woven bags with PE inner liner
• Jumbo bags (500 – 1000 kg) for high-volume manufacturing workflows
• OEM private-label packaging with custom branding and regional language labeling

Storage and Handling

Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Keep original packaging sealed to protect the hygroscopic material from ambient moisture and maintain optimal flowability.

Supply & Export Capabilities

• MOQ & Capacity: Minimum order quantity is 1 metric ton, backed by stable production capacity.
• Export Documentation: Full COA, TDS, MSDS, and regulatory compliance certificates available for international buyers.
• Global Reach: Trusted by food manufacturers and ingredient distributors in 20+ countries.

Custom Specifications and Blending Services

Granular form reduces dust and improves flow in automated dry blending and pneumatic conveying lines. We offer OEM private-label packaging and formulation review services to help optimize dosage for your specific product matrix.

Note: When formulating with sodium diacetate food grade in products above pH 5.5, the undissociated acetic acid fraction drops below the minimum inhibitory concentration for many spoilage bacteria. For near-neutral preservation needs, benzoate-based systems may provide more reliable microbial control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sodium diacetate the same as sodium acetate?

No. Sodium diacetate is a stable, dual-component compound containing both sodium acetate and free acetic acid in a fixed molecular ratio. This creates a self-buffering system at pH 4.5-5.0. Simple sodium acetate lacks the free acetic acid needed for effective mold inhibition.

What is the difference between sodium diacetate and calcium propionate in food?

Sodium diacetate (E262(ii)) provides both acetic acid for mold/bacteria inhibition and a buffering effect, ideal for sauces, meats, and snacks. Calcium propionate is primarily used in bakery products (like bread) because it inhibits mold without affecting yeast activity or adding a sour taste.

How does the self-buffering mechanism work in bakery applications?

The calibrated ratio creates a natural buffer at pH 4.5-5.0. In bakery products, this prevents the acetic acid fraction from dropping the local pH below 4.0 (which would harm yeast activity), while still suppressing rope bacteria and mold sporulation.

What are the MOQ and available export documents?

The minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 1 metric ton. We supply full documentation for international buyers, including COA, TDS, MSDS, and regulatory compliance certificates to support smooth import procedures.

As a food grade sodium diacetate supplier, we support OEM packaging and bulk export orders for food manufacturers worldwide with competitive pricing and reliable lead times.