The
key use of oxygen absorber is to protect the shelf life of the food. In case of
packaged food, it stays in the retailer shop or malls for many days which may impact the quality of the food.
But oxygen absorbers protect the taste and quality of the food along with the
color. It also prevents the growth of oxygen-aerobic microorganisms like fungi
etc. Plastic foods are not able to keep oxygen away from the food unlike metal
or glass container. Oxygen on the other hand helps microorganisms to grow which
causes damage to the product. But these oxygen absorbers absorb the oxygen from
the packet.
Different
kinds of oxygen absorbers are presently available in the market and the
application depends on the specific needs. The components of this absorber vary
according to the purpose for which it is being used. Basically there are three ingredients iron powder, sodium and activated
carbon. Iron is the primary ingredient and sodium acts as an activator and
causes the iron particles to rust and effectively reduce the level of oxygen
from the surrounding atmosphere. Oxygen absorber is not harmful for the foods,
it doesn’t generate any other gas and doesn’t distort the original smell and
taste of the product.
Over
the last almost 15 years oxygen absorbers have
brought a revolution for the food
package industry. It has made the job much easier and simpler than before. This
has increased the life of foods after the storage process. On an average these
absorbers last for around one year. So, you can expect the taste and color of
the food to remain unchanged even after a year time period. Is it safe to eatthis absorber? Well, it may not be a good option for your health. This is why
it is often mentioned outside the container that there is oxygen absorber inside which should be
discarded upon finding.
Now
the concern is how many oxygen absorbers
are required? Well, the number varies for different things like the size of the
packet of the oxygen absorber, area of the container, type of the food that is
being canned and the altitude of the place. But it is proved through various
tests that a 500cc packet is enough to fulfill most of the jobs.
Some of the key advantages of oxygen absorbers
for food are it extends the shelf life of the food. It prevents the growth of
aerobic microorganisms. It prevents the quality and nature of the food for many
days. It makes sure to avail cost effective packaging process and also money-saving transportation.
