Wikipedia Article About Potassium bicarbonate on Wikipedia Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate), is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, salty substance. The compound is used as a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking, extinguishing fire in powder fire extinguishers, acting as a reagent, and a strong buffer in medications. The US FDA recognizes potassium bicarbonate as "generally recognized as safe". It is used as a base in foods to regulate pH.