Answering Your Top 3 FAQs About Oxygen Absorbents (Part II)
This blog post is part of a series that answers various frequently asked questions about our desiccant and adsorbent products. You can view more FAQs about oxygen absorbents and FAQs about silica gel products by clicking the respective links.
Oxygen absorbers have become a staple in food packaging because they prevent food spoilage due to mold, and thus increase the shelf life of various food products. In this blog post, we’ll be answering questions specific to the use of oxygen absorbers in food packaging.
How should oxygen absorbents be disposed of?
Since oxygen absorbers are made for one-time use and cannot be regenerated, adequate disposal is an important consideration. When used in homes, oxygen absorber packets classify as non-combustible waste and don’t require any special precautions.
However, if you’re disposing of large amounts of oxygen adsorbents after industrial use, then they must be treated like any other industrial waste. Consequently, any precautions and regulations for industrial waste apply here too.
Can you heat absorbers with food?
Most oxygen absorbents cannot be heated in a microwave as the packet can ignite or burst inside. There are some forms that can be heated in a microwave—manufacturer specifications on the packet will state whether or not it can be microwaved.
How do you avoid air loss?
Oxygen absorbents inside a sealed container can reduce air volume by 20% (air loss phenomenon). To prevent compression, F&B producers can:
- Either use a variant of oxygen absorbers that generates carbon dioxide in the same amount as the oxygen it absorbs. This maintains air volume inside the package.
- Or replace oxygen with an inert gas during production. It’s hard to do so entirely, which means you’ll still need an oxygen absorber to prevent degradation.
Can oxygen adsorbents prevent fermentation?
Preventing fermentation isn’t entirely possible with oxygen absorbers. However, there are some steps you can take to inhibit bacteria, such as
- Reducing how much bacteria there is initially
- Ensuring low-temperature distribution
- Using bacteria-inhibiting food additives
- Reviewing food ingredients
If you’re looking for oxygen absorbers for food packaging, reach out to the experts at Sorbead India. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified desiccant manufacturer, we offer food-grade oxygen absorbers that can help you retain the freshness, taste, and integrity of your food product.
Call +91-756-768-8877 or send us an inquiry for more details about our products.
