The present disclosure provides a concentrated and natural, vinegar-derived food additive, wherein the food additive is an antimicrobial food additive or buffering food additive, compositions comprising the vinegar-derived food additive, methods for making the vinegar-derived food additive. The concentrated food additive can have a high acid value. Food products and methods of making food products containing the vinegar-derived food additive are provided. The food products can be meat, poultry, or fish food products.