First: Sodium Bicarbonate Remains the Most Useful Chemical Compound You Can Store
If I had to choose only one chemical compound to keep in long-term storage, it would be sodium bicarbonate. Nothing else comes close to its versatility. One container gives you the ability to clean, deodorize, neutralize, purify, treat minor issues, maintain sanitation, and solve dozens of problems during emergencies.
Because sodium bicarbonate is so useful, people naturally want to buy the “best” version. That’s where the debate between Bob’s Red Mill and Arm and Hammer comes in. The internet is full of claims about aluminum, purity, “organic” versus “synthetic,” and whether one brand is safer to ingest.
Most of these claims are misunderstandings. This post cuts through the noise and gives you the complete, factual comparison.
What Both Brands Actually Are
Before comparing anything, it’s important to start with this fact:
Both products contain one ingredient: sodium bicarbonate.
Chemically, that means the exact same molecule: NaHCO3. There are no additives, fillers, binders, or aluminum-based ingredients. Both products meet food-grade purity standards.
Once you understand this, most of the debate starts to fall apart.
The Aluminum Claim
This rumor has been circulating for years, and it resurfaces every few months.
Where the Myth Came From
Aluminum confusion comes from baking powder, not baking soda. Some baking powders include sodium aluminum sulfate or sodium aluminum phosphate as the acidic component.
People saw “aluminum-free baking powder” labels and incorrectly assumed that baking soda must contain aluminum unless the package says otherwise.
Bob’s Red Mill’s Position
Bob’s is very precise in its wording. They state:
- There is no added aluminum in their baking soda.
- Because theirs is a mined product, trace elements can exist naturally.
- Instead of making a bold marketing statement, they avoid the phrase “aluminum-free” to prevent confusion.
Arm and Hammer’s Position
Arm and Hammer states their baking soda is 100 percent sodium bicarbonate. No aluminum compounds are used or added in the process.
The Reality
- Baking soda does not contain aluminum.
- Neither brand adds aluminum.
- The myth persists because people confuse baking soda with baking powder.
Natural vs Synthetic
Another heated online topic is whether Bob’s Red Mill is “natural” and Arm and Hammer is “synthetic.”
The truth is more nuanced than either side admits.
Bob’s Red Mill
Bob’s emphasizes that their baking soda is mined from the earth. This is true. It comes from deposits of sodium minerals and is processed with minimal intervention. This appeals to customers who want products in their natural state.
Arm and Hammer
Arm and Hammer uses a long-standing method where trona ore is mined, converted into soda ash, then reacted with carbon dioxide and water to form sodium bicarbonate. This process is also considered a natural-source method and is extremely common in American production.
Bottom Line on Natural vs Synthetic
Once sodium bicarbonate is purified to food-grade standards, the end product is functionally identical.
Both brands start with natural mineral sources. Both refine them. Both meet the same purity thresholds.
“Natural” and “synthetic” in this debate are marketing positions, not meaningful chemical differences.
The Organic Question
You’ll see claims online that Bob’s is “organic” and Arm and Hammer is not.
Here’s the truth: Sodium bicarbonate is an inorganic mineral. It cannot be certified organic.
What you can say is that sodium bicarbonate is listed as an allowed nonagricultural ingredient in organic food processing. That applies to both brands equally.
No version of baking soda is “organic” in the farming sense.
Purity and Safety
Both Bob’s and Arm and Hammer must meet FCC or USP food-grade purity specifications. These include strict limits on:
- Heavy metals
- Contaminants
- Mineral residues
Bob’s highlights their gluten-free processing facility. This matters if gluten is a concern in your household. Arm and Hammer, meanwhile, offers lower cost per pound, which matters for bulk storage.
But chemically and functionally, both are equally pure.
So Which One Should Preppers Store?
Here’s the practical breakdown.
Choose Bob’s Red Mill If:
- You need a gluten-free facility guarantee.
- You prefer products that are mined and minimally processed.
- You like supporting the brand’s approach to transparency and natural sourcing.
Choose Arm and Hammer If:
- You want the best price per pound for large quantities.
- You’re storing bulk sodium bicarbonate for cleaning, sanitation, and household emergency use.
- You want the most widely available and affordable option.
For Preparedness
For long-term storage, either brand will work perfectly. Sodium bicarbonate is extremely stable, has decades-long usefulness when kept dry, and remains the same compound regardless of packaging.
The decision comes down to philosophy and budget, not chemistry.
Final Thoughts
The debate between Bob’s Red Mill and Arm and Hammer is fueled by viral claims, misunderstood terminology, and marketing language that sounds more scientific than it is.
What matters most is this:
Sodium bicarbonate is the same chemical compound no matter which brand sells it, and it remains one of the most powerful, multipurpose items you can store for preparedness.
If you want versatility, shelf stability, and problem-solving capability in one inexpensive compound, baking soda should be high on your list.