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Ammonium bicarbonate

Ammonium bicarbonate suppliers and sourcing guide

Ammonium bicarbonate is a leavening salt that breaks down entirely into ammonia, carbon dioxide and water when heated, leaving no salt residue. It is used mainly in thin, low-moisture baked goods such as crackers, cookies and wafers, where the ammonia can bake out. It is made by reacting carbon dioxide with aqueous ammonia, then precipitating, washing and drying the crystals. Brands buy it as a white crystalline powder with a strong ammonia smell.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Baker's ammonia · Ammonium hydrogen carbonate · Hartshorn salt · E503(ii)
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of ammonium bicarbonate

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

  • Food grade crystalline

    Standard crystals or powder tested to Food Chemicals Codex specifications.

  • Fine or milled

    Finer grades that dissolve and disperse faster in cookie and cracker doughs.

  • Anticaking-treated

    Grades with a small amount of added flow agent to reduce caking in storage.

  • Technical grade

    Industrial and agricultural grades, not for food use.

What to check on the COA

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

Assay (titration)
NH4HCO3 content by acid titration, which drops as the product loses ammonia.
Nonvolatile residue
Residue after heating, which should be very low because the salt volatilizes completely.
Chloride and sulfur compounds
Impurity tests in the FCC monograph.
Lead and heavy metals
Lead and other metals by ICP-MS.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Ammonium bicarbonate slowly decomposes at room temperature and faster in warm conditions, so store it tightly sealed in a cool, dry, ventilated area and reseal opened bags immediately. It cakes readily in humid conditions. Shelf life follows the supplier specification, which is often short, and older stock should be retested for assay.

Lots and expiry dates

Record assay and receipt date for each lot and use older lots first, since strength falls during storage. Note any caking or strong loss of odor, which signals decomposition.

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.

Ammonium bicarbonate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking ammonium 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 ammonium bicarbonate can brands buy?

Common forms include food grade crystalline, fine or milled, anticaking-treated and technical grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for ammonium bicarbonate include?

Expect assay (titration), nonvolatile residue, chloride and sulfur compounds and lead and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should ammonium bicarbonate be stored?

Ammonium bicarbonate slowly decomposes at room temperature and faster in warm conditions, so store it tightly sealed in a cool, dry, ventilated area and reseal opened bags immediately. It cakes readily in humid conditions. Shelf life follows the supplier specification, which is often short, and older stock should be retested for assay.

What is the regulatory status of ammonium bicarbonate?

21 CFR 184.1135 affirms ammonium bicarbonate as GRAS as a direct human food ingredient, used as a dough strengthener, leavening agent, pH control agent and texturizer. 7 CFR 205.605(b) allows ammonium bicarbonate in organic products only as a leavening agent. Health Canada's List of Permitted pH Adjusting Agents, Acid-Reacting Materials and Water Correcting Agents includes ammonium bicarbonate.

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