A process for preparing sodium bicarbonate particles, comprising the steps of: (a) adding at least one alkali metal carbonate to an aqueous solution in order to form an aqueous composition; wherein the alkali metal carbonate comprises sodium carbonate and wherein the aqueous composition comprises at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or the salts thereof, in an amount of at least 200 ppm based on the weight of the aqueous composition; and (b) precipitating solid particles comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals and separating said sodium bicarbonate particles from the aqueous composition, in order to obtain sodium bicarbonate particles and an aqueous mother liquor.