What is nitrogen packaging?

The nitrogen packaging system essentially involves replacing oxygen with nitrogen in food packing. To begin with, the food item to be preserved is placed in an unsealed wrapping or pack. Once this is done, food-grade nitrogen is introduced into the packing, driving out oxygen-rich air as well as any moisture present.

Why is nitrogen used in packing?

Nitrogen is a popular gas for food packaging because it displaces oxygen. This is important because oxygen can carry moisture. Oxygen is used by bacteria to grow and thrive on organic material. By removing as much oxygen as possible, bacteria find it more difficult to grow.

What is nitrogen flushing in food packaging?

A nitrogen flush is the process of using nitrogen gas to remove oxygen from food packaging, thus increasing its shelf life. This is critical, as oxygen causes food decay by creating an ideal environment for decomposing bacteria and fungi to thrive.

Can nitrogen used as preservative?

Nitrogen flushing is a method used to preserve and protect food from damage during shipping and storage. Nitrogen replaces the oxygen in a food storage bag, and it cushions the contents. Unlike oxygen, nitrogen doesn’t react with foods or affect the flavor or texture, so they stay fresher longer.

Does vacuum sealing remove oxygen?

Vacuum Sealers remove oxygen from a package prior to sealing the bag. By removing oxygen from the package, vacuum sealing can extend the life of a food package or prevent rust of industrial items.

What is nitrogen used for?

Nitrogen is important to the chemical industry. It is used to make fertilisers, nitric acid, nylon, dyes and explosives. To make these products, nitrogen must first be reacted with hydrogen to produce ammonia.

Is N2 harmful?

High concentrations of nitrogen gas can be particularly harmful to human health. Nitrogen can displace oxygen from ambient air within an enclosed space leading to a dangerous build-up of the inert gas.

Is nitrogen flushing harmful?

According to expert medical opinion, any drink or food article whose preparation involves flushing/mixing of liquid nitrogen is harmful for humans. “Due to its low temperature, liquid nitrogen could be extremely damaging to body tissue, causing frostbite and cryogenic burning on contact.

Why are sealed food packets filled with nitrogen?

Nitrogen is an inert and unreactive gas which is filled in food packets to remove oxygen and moisture from them. It keeps the food preserved and fresh by reducing the bacterial growth in the food packages.

What is the difference between Shrink Packaging and vacuum packing?

Though often confused, shrink packaging and vacuum packing are very different. Both forms of packaging appear to remove air from product packaging but in very different ways. Shrink packaging, like vacuum packing, uses a sealing bar and film to package a variety of products.

What is the vacuum packaging method?

The vacuum packaging method is a way of increasing the shelf life of a food product by sucking out the air inside the containers first before sealing them. However, since it is impossible to make a complete vacuum, a specific amount of oxygen will still remain inside the packages.

What happens to oxygen in a vacuum packaging?

When the pressure drops to 100 millibars, about 2.1\% of oxygen gas will remain inside the package. And if it drops to 10 millibars, about 0.21\% of oxygen will still remain. Even if the pressure is reduced further, a defined amount of oxygen will always be left inside the package. How is Vacuum Packaging Done?

What is nitrogen flush packaging and how does it work?

It involves sealing a package after flushing it with nitrogen gas to slow down the decay process by preventing oxidation and microbe growth. Aside from being a safe inert gas, nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere so nitrogen flush packaging is a cost-effective way of protecting your food products from spoilage.