👉 The term "hydroxyacetic" is a chemical compound that has been used historically as an ingredient in various cooking processes. It is composed of hydrogen and an acetic acid molecule, which are both organic acids. The word "hydroxy" refers to the presence of oxygen, while "acetic" means acidic. In chemistry, hydroxyacetic acid (HAc) is a weak acid that is very reactive and can react with other acids or bases to form compounds. It is used