Baking powder has been around since the mid-19th century, and it's had a pretty wild ride. From its humble beginnings as a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar, to its current status as a staple ingredient in many a baked good. And fun fact: the first baking powder was actually patented by a guy named Alfred Bird, who also happened to invent the first instant pudding mix - talk about a legend!
So, what exactly is in baking powder that might make it not safe to eat? Well, for starters, it's got a bunch of alkaline ingredients that can mess with your body's pH balance if you ingest too much. And let's not forget the additives and preservatives that are often added to commercial baking powders - yikes! But don't worry, the amounts are usually pretty small, and a little bit of baking powder ain't gonna kill ya (probably).
