What are oxygen absorbers?
Oxygen absorbers are active packaging components that remove oxygen from sealed packages. They are also called oxygen scavengers, O2 absorbers, oxygen absorber packets, oxygen packs and oxygen removers.
They are commonly based on iron powder chemistry, but oxygen absorbing systems may also include ascorbic acid, enzymes, polymers and other active packaging technologies. For most commercial food applications, the absorber is placed inside a package with strong oxygen barrier properties and a reliable heat seal.
Protects quality
Helps reduce oxidation, rancidity, colour loss and aroma deterioration in oxygen-sensitive foods.
Supports shelf life
Works inside sealed high-barrier packaging to reduce residual headspace and void-space oxygen.
Easy to apply
Available in common capacities from small sachets to larger sizes for tubs, cans and bulk packaging.
OxySorb Products
OxySorb oxygen absorbers are supplied for commercial food packaging, food storage, oxygen-sensitive goods and technical storage uses. They can be used with suitable oxygen barrier packaging such as mylar bags, foil pouches, PET/nylon laminates, PVdC coated films, high-barrier tubs and glass or metal containers.
| Absorber size | Typical use | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| 20cc to 50cc | Small pouches and samples | Use only with correctly sealed oxygen barrier packaging. |
| 100cc to 300cc | Common retail food packs, jars and bags | Confirm void space, product volume and film OTR. |
| 500cc to 2000cc | Bulk mylar, tubs, larger containers and storage packs | Oversizing is usually safer than undersizing when estimates are uncertain. |
OxySorb AI Size Calculator
Use this quick estimator to select a starting oxygen absorber size. This is a guide only. For commercial food production, packaging trials, oxygen testing and professional food technology advice are recommended.
Formula summary: estimated pack volume × void space × 20.9% oxygen, plus estimated oxygen ingress from film area and OTR across the requested shelf life, then multiplied by a safety factor and rounded up to the next common absorber size.
Technical Food Packaging Notes
Barrier packaging matters
Oxygen absorbers perform best in high oxygen barrier packaging. Poor seals or high permeability films can exhaust the absorber early.
Moisture and water activity
Many iron-based absorbers require moisture to activate. Food moisture and microbial safety must be considered carefully.
Not a substitute for safety controls
Oxygen removal does not replace HACCP, validated thermal processing, sanitation, allergen control or microbiological testing.
Oxygen Absorber Literature and Application Notes
Oxygen absorbers absorb oxygen. They can be in a powdered form added to film, or food i.e. ascorbic acid, vitamin C (Dave et al. 1997). They are sometimes also called oxygen scavengers, oxygen absorber packets, O2 absorbers, oxygen packs, and oxygen removers.
Primarily, oxygen absorbers are used for food storage, including fresh fruit and vegetables (Charles et al. 2003), walnuts (Jensen et al. 2003), raw almond kernels (Mexis & Kontominas 2010), and fruit colour stabilisation (Tarr & Clingeleffer 2005). They have also been used with CO2 absorbers in strawberries (Aday et al. 2011; Kartel et al. 2012), and may also be used for pharmaceutical products and equipment storage.
Extensive literature reviews regarding oxygen absorbers and active packaging have been written by Miltz & Perry 2004, Han 2005, Rooney 2005, Kadoya 2012, Tian et al. 2013, Realini & Marcos 2014, and Cichello 2015.
They can be placed in high oxygen barrier containers such as HDPE tubs, or packaging such as PVdC coated PET or nylon. A popular choice is mylar bags, which are commonly used in food storage. Mylar food storage bags are used by the military and by those preparing for food shortages, which are a recurring occurrence in nature and human civilisation due to war, famine and pestilence.
Some common brands include OxySorb by Wholesale Group International and Ageless by Mitsubishi. These are food grade oxygen absorbers and may be supplied for use in HACCP and USFDA compliant food packaging systems, depending on the specific product, supplier documentation and intended use. Oxygen absorbers are often used in combination with moisture absorbing packets such as silica gel or silica/clay gel desiccants. They are not deoxidizers.
Oxygen absorbers can be combined with ethanol emitters in sliced wheat bread preservation (Latou et al. 2010), gluten free bread (Gutiérrez et al. 2011), rosemary oil extract in rainbow trout fillets (Mexis et al. 2009), Greek cod paste (Mexis et al. 2009), catfish steaks (Mohan et al. 2006), chicken meat and citrus extract (Mexis et al. 2012), modified atmosphere packaging with pork sausages (Martínez et al. 2006), chocolate (Mexis et al. 2010), and milk powder (Thomsen et al. 2005). Kerry et al. 2006 reviewed applications in meat, and Tian et al. 2013 reviewed lipid oxidation applications.
Contact and Orders
Wholesale Group International Pty Ltd supplies OxySorb oxygen absorbers and related packaging support in Australia.
Email: info@wholesalegroup.com.au