Some useful knowledge about Oxygen Absorbers and its usage

What is Oxygen Absorber?

Oxygen absorbers are small packets that contain iron powder in it. These packets are normally placed over the packaged foods so that oxygen cannot create any damage to the food products. These packets are made in a way so that oxygen and moisture can enter into the packet but in any situation the iron powder doesn’t leak out. The iron powder absorbs the oxygen and helps to maintain the quality of the food.

Why Oxygen Absorbers are needed?

It is a known fact that oxygen is not good for any food product. Oxygen when get in connection with moisture can cause aerobic pathogens and molds over the food. These pathogens can cause damage to the quality, color, odor or taste of the food that is something not desirable at all. By applying oxygen absorbers over the food moisture and oxygen is absorbed completely and thus the natural quality, color and taste of the packaged food is maintained.

The use of Oxygen Absorbers

Oxygen absorbers are vastly used in the food industry for packaging foods for long term basis. Oxygen absorbers are normally used for packaging dry foods like pasta & noodles, rice, salt and almost all kinds of dry foods. These absorbers are not harmful for the products since the iron powder doesn’t leak out and mix with the foods.

What is the correct quantity?

Now, this is an important aspect of using these absorbers. If you don’t use this properly and with proper quantity, the use will be completely useless. If the quantity is more, there is no problem. But if the absorbers are not sufficient compared to the quantity of the food, it may cause damage to the food of the entire container. So users need to follow a proper calculation. Basically the amount of oxygen absorber depends on the quantity of the food and on the void space. And the void space depends on the specific food product. For example a container full of salt will provide less voice than a same size container full of marbles.

Here is the calculation:

Container volume – Food volume = Residual volume. 

 Residual volume X 0.21 (21% oxygen in the air) = absorber size

Let’s see an example. Assume that you are packing 35 pounds of rice in a container sized 5 gallon. Now, 35 pounds of rice is equivalent to 15,875 gm (1pound = 453.59 gm) or 15875 cc. And 5 gallon is equal to 18,942 cc. Now the calculation is:

18,942 (container volume) – 15875 (Food volume) = 3067 cc

3067 (residual air volume) X 0.21 (oxygen in the air) = 644 cc.

644 cc is the size requirement of the oxygen absorber.

Foods that doesn’t suit Oxygen absorber 

Oxygen absorbers are not suitable for all kinds of foods.  Products such as sugar or drink mixes should not be packed with oxygen absorbers or else these will turn into hard bricks or will have clumping. These foods require some amount of moisture in the packaging so that the powder form is maintained.