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Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate suppliers and sourcing guide

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline salt that releases carbon dioxide when it reacts with acids or is heated, which makes it the base in nearly all chemical leavening systems. It is used in baked goods, baking powder, effervescent tablets and drink mixes, and for pH adjustment. It is made by carbonating a sodium carbonate solution, either from the Solvay process or from mined trona, then filtering, washing and drying the crystals. Brands buy it in food or USP grades and several particle sizes.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Baking soda · Sodium hydrogen carbonate · Bicarbonate of soda · E500(ii)
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of sodium bicarbonate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Particle size grades

    Powder, fine and granular grades; finer grades react faster and disperse more evenly in dough.

  • USP grade

    Pharmacopeial grade for effervescent tablets, supplements and personal care products.

  • Free-flowing

    Bicarbonate with a small amount of added flow agent, such as tricalcium phosphate, for dry mixes.

  • Encapsulated

    Bicarbonate coated with fat to delay its reaction in refrigerated and frozen doughs.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (acid titration)
NaHCO3 content on a dry basis, reported against FCC or USP ranges.
Loss on drying
Moisture, which can start a premature reaction in dry blends.
Insoluble substances and carbonate
Insoluble matter and normal carbonate, which affect clarity and reaction balance.
Lead and heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and other metals by ICP-MS against FCC or USP limits.
Particle size
Sieve analysis, which governs reaction speed and specks in baked goods.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed in a cool, dry area away from acids and strong odors; it slowly gives off carbon dioxide when warm and can cake in humid rooms. Keep it away from leavening acids until blending. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with a retest of assay and moisture for older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the particle size grade and any flow agent for each lot, since a grade change alters reaction rate and labeling. Rotate stock FEFO.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Sodium bicarbonate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking sodium bicarbonate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of sodium bicarbonate can brands buy?

Common forms include particle size grades, uSP grade, free-flowing and encapsulated. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for sodium bicarbonate include?

Expect assay (acid titration), loss on drying, insoluble substances and carbonate, lead and heavy metals and particle size, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should sodium bicarbonate be stored?

Store sealed in a cool, dry area away from acids and strong odors; it slowly gives off carbon dioxide when warm and can cake in humid rooms. Keep it away from leavening acids until blending. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with a retest of assay and moisture for older stock.

What is the regulatory status of sodium bicarbonate?

21 CFR 184.1736 affirms sodium bicarbonate as GRAS for use in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. 7 CFR 205.605(a) lists sodium bicarbonate among the nonsynthetic substances allowed in products labeled "organic" or "made with organic (specified ingredients)". Health Canada's List of Permitted pH Adjusting Agents, Acid-Reacting Materials and Water Correcting Agents includes sodium bicarbonate.

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