Abstract: A stabilized acidic composition comprised essentially of two core components that are GRAS and can be safely used in foodstuffs, and yet which provide a medium that destroys microbes and/or can regulate pH safely and effectively. Two core components include a first inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, that dissociates nearly to completion in water, and a second organic GRAS acid, such as organic hydroxy acid or citric acid. The stabilized acidic composition serves as an effective antimicrobial solution or a low pH medium while maintaining a larger margin of safety than is conventionally known. Thus, the stabilized acidic composition of the present invention is safe for industrial, medical, agricultural and military applications that require the need for a low pH environment that is not harmful to human or animal skin, and can be used in processing or manufacturing of ingestibles.