Condiments & seasonings · Product label guide
Vinegar: compare ingredients, then choose.
Compare apple cider, balsamic, and specialty vinegars by acidity, base, and added ingredients.
Research · Vinegar
What our research found about vinegar
Vinegar is acetic acid from fermented alcohol, and most culinary vinegars are about 5% acidity. Apple cider vinegar “with the mother” is unfiltered, balsamic is made from grape must, and wine and rice vinegars follow their base. Plain versions list one ingredient; some balsamics and flavored vinegars add sugar, caramel color or sulfites, so read the list.
Apple cider vinegar is widely marketed for health, but Harvard Health Publishing’s review found the evidence for weight loss and other benefits not compelling and warned that undiluted vinegar can damage tooth enamel and may worsen low potassium in people on certain medications. Treat vinegar as a flavorful condiment and cooking ingredient first.
- Products
- 174 brands
- Full labels recorded
- 318% of the shelf
- Maker says organic
- 3maker’s claim
- List an added sweetener
- 3of 3 labels
- List a seed oil
- 0of 3 labels
- Typical label length
- 3ingredients (median)
Counts use complete, current ingredient labels only. Records without a published label stay unknown and are never counted as clean.
What to compare
- Base and acidity. Apple cider, balsamic, wine and rice vinegars differ in flavor; most culinary vinegars are ~5% acidity.
- Additives. Some balsamics add sugar, caramel color or sulfites.
- “With the mother”. Indicates unfiltered cider vinegar; it is a texture and sourcing choice.
- Health claims. Evidence for health benefits is limited; use it as a condiment.
References
- Apple cider vinegar diet: does it really work? Harvard Health Publishing
- 21 CFR 101.22: spices, flavors, and colors on labels Code of Federal Regulations
- Chemical Cuisine: food additives guide Center for Science in the Public Interest
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Distilled Vinegar, Roasted Ancho, Bell and Habanero Peppers, Sugar. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Champagne Vinegar, Pure Cane Sugar, Oranges Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Vinegar (diluted with water to 5% acidity), Cane Sugar, Triple Crown Blackberries Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 1 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “On-the-Go Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Citrus Ginger Pouches”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 1 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “On-the-Go Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Pouches”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 1 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “On-the-Go Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Cayenne Pouches”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| Not scored | Search on Amazon ↗Product details → | 0 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Unknown Label needs review — · US Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups on the current label plus verified organic and sourcing claims; without them a product cannot reach 100. It is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
“Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Search on Amazon” opens an Amazon search for the product, so pick the exact match yourself. Confirm the package, seller, availability, and current price before checkout. Buying links do not influence ingredient results.
01 · A closer look
Your preferences, explained.
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.