The Science of Nitrogen In Commercial Food Packaging: 3 Facts to Know

Commercial food packaging may seem simple, but it is actually a complex science with nitrogen playing a vital role in the whole process. The air that comes out of an opened bag of chips is nitrogen, not oxygen, and it’s there for a reason. Here are 3 facts you need to know about the use of nitrogen in commercial food packaging. Nitrogen is An Inert Gas Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that makes up 78% of the earth’s atmosphere. It is classified as an inert gas because it does not react with other elements under normal conditions. This makes nitrogen ideal for use in food packaging, as it does not alter the taste or other physical properties of the food. The same is not true for saying oxygen, which can cause food to spoil by oxidizing it and making it go rancid.