Question

Why are packets of oily or fatty foods flushed with nitrogen gas?

Hint:

Antioxidants are chemical substances added to foods for the exact same purpose: preventing oxidation.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fats and oils undergo oxidation when exposed to oxygen in the air, leading to a foul smell and bad taste. This is called rancidity.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
To preserve oily and fatty foods (like potato chips), food manufacturers flush the packaging bags with Nitrogen gas before sealing them.
Nitrogen is an inert, unreactive gas at room temperature.
By replacing the oxygen-rich air inside the packet with nitrogen, the oxidation process of the fats and oils is stopped or significantly slowed down.

Step 3: Final Answer:
They are flushed with nitrogen to provide an inert environment that prevents oxidation and rancidity of the food.