Nitrogen protects against food spoilage

Nitrogen is used in many areas of the food industry. Contact with oxygen must be avoided in various production steps in the manufacture of beverages such as fruit juice and beer. In this context, there is a risk of microbial infections as well as oxidative and enzymatic reactions. This can lead to quality losses or to spoilage of the beverages. By blanketing production and storage tanks with nitrogen, this risk can be minimised or eliminated. After emptying the tanks and before any refilling, the tanks are also flushed with nitrogen and sterilised (referred to as headspace flushing).

Food packaging is also often made in the presence of a shielding gas. This increases durability for transport and extends the use by date. Packaging under a modified nitrogen atmosphere keeps food fresh and durable for longer without the addition of preservatives. This MAP method (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) is mainly used for oxygen-sensitive foodstuffs such as meat, fish, nuts, yoghurt, cheese, pasta, bread, salad and vegetables.

Another example of nitrogen’s use in the food industry is for blanketing rollers and jet mills. These are used in food production. The grinding processes in the production of flour, cocoa and other dry, dust-like foodstuffs can lead to fires and explosions. This is especially true in combination with frictional heat and oxygen. Using nitrogen as an inert gas can prevent such fires and explosions.

With our nitrogen generators, we supply high quality solutions for the stationary and mobile production of nitrogen for different applications, including for low volume requirements.