About
What it is and where it shows up.
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is a white crystalline salt used as a chemical leavening (raising) agent in baked goods such as biscuits, crackers, and flat breads. On heating it decomposes completely into carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water vapour, leaving no residue in the finished product.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
JECFA has assigned an 'ADI not specified' to ammonium hydrogen carbonate, reflecting a wide safety margin at levels used in food. The US FDA classifies it as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1135. Because it releases ammonia upon decomposition, individuals with impaired ammonia metabolism—such as those with liver or kidney disease—are advised caution at high dietary exposure levels.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Permitted raising agent under FSANZ Food Standards Code Standard 1.3.1; approved at quantum satis in bakery products.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Permitted as a raising agent (E 503ii) under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives; authorised quantum satis (QS) in bakery wares and other food categories listed in Annex II.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Permitted as a raising agent in bakery and confectionery products under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1135; permitted as a leavening agent in baked goods (B&N) and in cacao products (Part 163); also listed for animal feeds (Part 582).source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Liver Disease — The additive releases ammonia upon thermal decomposition and digestion; individuals with hepatic impairment have reduced urea-cycle capacity and may be unable to adequately clear elevated blood ammonia.
Kidney Disease — Impaired renal ammonia excretion may allow accumulation of ammonium ions in the bloodstream, potentially worsening uraemic symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Infants — Infants have immature hepatic and renal pathways for ammonia metabolism, making them more vulnerable to ammonium load; products leavened with baker's ammonia are not recommended in infant-specific foods.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1WHO. JECFA Food Additives and Contaminants Database – Ammonium hydrogen carbonate (chemID 133). apps.who.int
- 2FAO. JECFA Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications – Ammonium hydrogen carbonate (Monograph Additive-024). fao.org
- 3FAO. Codex GSFA Online – Ammonium hydrogen carbonate 503(ii) food additive details. fao.org
- 4other. PubChem Compound Summary – Ammonium Bicarbonate (CID 14013). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FDA. FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) – Ammonium bicarbonate; 21 CFR 184.1135, 2026. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
Independently researched5 citations