Ingredient

Is Baking Soda Real Food?

Approved

Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common household ingredient used primarily as a leavening agent. It's a naturally occurring mineral compound that can also be manufactured by chemical processes.

Why it’s in your food

The manufacturer’s reason.

Food manufacturers use baking soda to create lightness and volume in baked goods by reacting with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes doughs and batters to rise.

Community scan data

How it shows up in the wild.

Found in 22 productswe’ve analyzed.

22

Rated Clean

0

Caution

0

Flagged

Where to find it

Products containing Baking Soda.

16 products in our database.

Nurture, LLC

Happy Family Organics

Flagged

Industrial sweetener spoils healthy ingredients!

BABY FOOD8/12 clean · Apr 14, 2026

SEMIFREDDI'S

SEMIFREDDI'S

Flagged

Enriched flour and artificial flavors are not traditional.

BREAD10/14 clean · 4w ago

ANNIE'S, INC.

Annie's Organic Cocoa Puffs Cereal

Flagged

Good ingredients with a few modern touches.

CEREAL7/11 clean · 3w ago

ANNIE'S, INC.

Bunny Grahams

Approved

Mostly good ingredients with a few modern additions.

CRACKER14/18 clean · 3w ago

PEPPERIDGE FARM, INC.

Milk Chocolate Cookies

Flagged

Enriched flour and hydrogenated oils spoil these cookies.

COOKIES13/23 clean · Apr 15, 2026

GERBER PRODUCTS CO.

Gerber Whole Grain Cereal

Flagged

Enriched flour and artificial vitamins are not traditional.

CEREAL7/22 clean · Apr 20, 2026

Trader Joe's

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Flagged

Too many industrial ingredients for cookies

COOKIES11/16 clean · 1w ago

GENERAL MILLS SALES, INC.

Cocoa Puffs

Flagged

Too many artificial and processed ingredients!

CEREAL20/24 clean · Apr 20, 2026

MONDELEZ GLOBAL LLC

Petit Ecolier Biscuits

Flagged

Artificial flavor in these biscuits!

COOKIES12/15 clean · Mar 12, 2026

NATURE'S BAKERY, LLC

Snack Bar

Flagged

Industrial sweetener spoils this snack bar

SNACK BAR8/11 clean · Mar 16, 2026

MONDELEZ GLOBAL LLC

Petit Écolier Biscuits

Flagged

Artificial Flavor spoils these Petit Écolier biscuits.

COOKIES10/13 clean · Apr 11, 2026

Nurture, LLC

Snack Bar

Flagged

Too many processed extras, especially 'natural flavor'.

SNACK BAR8/12 clean · Mar 17, 2026

Gerber Products Co.

Gerber Biscuits

Flagged

Too many industrial ingredients for Nonna's kitchen!

BABY FOOD9/19 clean · Mar 17, 2026

PEPPERIDGE FARM, INC.

Pepperidge Farm Milk Chocolate Cookies

Flagged

Too many industrial ingredients, Nonna would disapprove!

COOKIES14/24 clean · Apr 15, 2026

DIST. BY GENERAL MILLS SALES, INC.

Canned Wild Blueberries

Flagged

Enriched flour and artificial flavor, oh dear!

OTHER14/25 clean · Apr 20, 2026

THE QUAKER OATS COMPANY

Granola

Flagged

Too many processed ingredients for Nonna!

SNACK BAR12/21 clean · Apr 20, 2026

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

How does baking soda make baked goods rise?▾
Baking soda needs an acid and a liquid to activate. When these are present, it produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles, which get trapped in the batter or dough. As the food bakes, these bubbles expand, causing the product to rise and become light and airy.
What's the difference between baking soda and baking powder?▾
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and requires an acidic ingredient (like buttermilk or lemon juice) to react. Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda, an acid (like cream of tartar), and a starch, meaning it's a complete leavening agent that only needs liquid and heat to react.
Can baking soda be used for anything else in the kitchen?▾
Beyond baking, baking soda is a versatile kitchen helper. It can be used to neutralize strong odors in the refrigerator, clean surfaces, or even tenderize tough cuts of meat by slightly raising the pH of the meat surface.

Check your own pantry.

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