Is baking powder vegan?

Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods. It is a commercial mixture consisting of a carbonate or bicarbonate, most commonly sodium bicarbonate, combined with one or more acidic salts, such as monocalcium phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or cream of tartar. A plant-based starch, usually cornstarch or potato starch, is included to absorb moisture and prevent the alkaline and acid components from reacting during storage. The minerals and acids used are either mined, synthesized through industrial chemical processes, or obtained as byproducts of agricultural processing.

This ingredient is commonly found in packaged foods such as cakes, cookies, crackers, breads, pastries, and pre-packaged dry baking mixes. Baking powder is classified as vegan because all of its constituent ingredients originate from mineral, plant, or synthetic sources. Animal-derived ingredients and processing aids are not used in commercial baking powder production.