Why is nitrogen used in food packaging?

A standard industry practice in food packaging is to use nitrogen in order to help maintain a product’s shelf life. If normal air were used, the oxygen in the normal air would damage food and accelerate spoilage. This happens because oxygen can carry moisture which will allows bacteria to grow.

In addition, oxygen can cause some foods to undergo oxidation, making the food foul-smelling and uneatable. Most food packaging companies will produce the nitrogen on an as needed basis using portable nitrogen generators. These generators are safer and less costly than using pressurized cylinders.