Also known as 'Sodium Ethanoate', is an organic salt of Sodium and is an Acetate derivative and is water soluble. Sodium acetate (anhydrous) is widely used as a shelf-life extending agent, pH control agent, and acts as a preservative.
It is safe to eat at low concentration. Sodium acetate may be added to food as a seasoning, sometimes in the form of sodium diacetate. It is often used to give potato chips a salt and vinegar flavor.