Oxygen Scavengers

Why should you control oxygen in your packaging?

Oxygen is essential to life, but in packaging environments it can accelerate deterioration. Excess oxygen can cause food spoilage, promote the growth of bacteria and mold, and lead to corrosion or oxidation of metals and sensitive materials.

Desiccare’s oxygen scavenging solutions safely remove residual oxygen from sealed packaging, helping protect product quality, maintain safety, and extend shelf life. By controlling oxygen inside the package, Desiccare helps ensure products remain stable throughout storage and distribution.

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Oxygen Keeps Products Alive. Until It Doesn’t

Oxygen fuels life. It also fuels oxidation, spoilage, discoloration, and microbial growth.

In sealed packaging, even small amounts of residual oxygen can lead to mold, mildew, rancidity, off-flavors, and shortened shelf life. For manufacturers, that means lost inventory, markdowns, recalls, and disappointed customers.

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Remove Oxygen. Extend Shelf Life.

Desiccare’s oxygen scavengers actively remove oxygen from sealed packaging, creating a controlled environment that protects food, pharmaceuticals, and sensitive products without relying on heavy additives or complex packaging processes.

Trusted by Packaging Engineers & Global Manufacturers

"My experience with Desiccare Inc. over the years has been excellent. Desiccare offers a great selection of products that AGM utilizes frequently. Cherrie has been incredibly helpful with every request I've sent her way. She is very knowledgeable and consistently responds in a timely manner. At AGM, that level of responsiveness is important because we strive to serve our customers as quickly as possible. It has been a pleasure working with both Cherrie and Desiccare, and I look forward to many more years of our partnership."
AGM Container Controls, Inc. 
AGM Container Controls, Inc. 
"Philpac has a wonderful relationship with Desicare and we have been very happy with the service for many, many years. The customer service is stellar!"
Philpac Corp
Philpac Corp
"What I have enjoyed most about ordering from Desiccare is the Customer Service. I like that I can send my order to actual person as well as receive confirmation and ship date on my order. If I have an issue- a quick email and it's fixed - no holding on a line waiting for someone to answer. My Account Manager has been absolutely wonderful which makes Desiccare on my top five list of best companies to do business with."
Caviness Beef Packers
Caviness Beef Packers
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How Oxygen Scavengers Work (Behind the Scenes)

It’s easy to think of oxygen scavengers as tiny packets doing a simple job, but what’s actually happening inside that sealed package is a bit more fascinating than it first appears.

Once placed inside packaging, the scavenger begins a quiet chemical reaction. It binds with free oxygen molecules and converts them into a stable compound, effectively removing oxygen from the environment without releasing anything harmful back into the package. No noise. No visible change. Just a steady shift toward a safer, more stable atmosphere.

This process continues until oxygen levels are reduced to a point where oxidation, microbial growth, and degradation slow dramatically. The result? Products that hold their integrity, longer than you’d expect.

Oxygen Absorber Size Chart

Container Volume (Imperial)

Container Volume Less than 20% Void Space More than 20% Void Space
1 oz. FT-20 FT-20
2 oz. FT-20 FT-20
5 oz. FT-20 FT-20
1 Pint FT-50 FT-100
1 Quart FT-50 FT-100
1 Liter FT-50 FT-50
1 Gallon FT-100 FT-300
5 Gallons FT-500 FT-750

Container Volume (Metric)

Container Volume Less than 20% Void Space More than 20% Void Space
100cc FT-20 FT-20
200cc FT-20 FT-20
500cc FT-20 FT-30
1000cc FT-50 FT-50
2000cc FT-50 FT-100
4000cc FT-100 FT-300

Key Factors That Impact Performance

Package Volume & Headspace

The amount of empty space inside a package determines how much oxygen is present at the start. More headspace means more oxygen to absorb.

Moisture Levels Inside the Package

A small amount of humidity is often necessary to activate certain scavenger systems. Too dry, and performance may lag slightly.

Barrier Properties of Packaging Materials

Some films allow oxygen to slowly pass through over time. High-barrier materials help maintain low oxygen levels once achieved.

Product Characteristics

Foods with higher fat content or sensitive compounds may require more precise oxygen control to prevent rancidity or degradation.

Desiccare offers two different oxygen scavenging systems to suit every application.

The O-Buster® line of oxygen scavengers can handle from 15cc all the way up to 3000cc of oxygen, thereby safeguarding products from undesirable effects such as color and/or taste change. O-Buster® reduces the need for additives, gas flushing and vacuum packing which creates a tremendous cost savings all the way from manufacturing to consumer.

The No-Ox® System

Meat is first packed traditionally in a foam tray and plastic wrap. Then, each package is placed in a special bag where oxygen is replaced with a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. A No-Ox® Scavenger is added to remove any excess oxygen. This inhibits microbial growth and extends the distribution life for up to 30 days for whole muscle and 21 days for ground. Get a fresh-bloomed appearance and reduce waste with No-Ox®.

Where Oxygen Control Delivers the Most Value

While oxygen scavengers are versatile, there are certain scenarios where their impact becomes especially noticeable:

Long Distribution Cycles

When products travel across regions, or continents, extended shelf life isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Clean Label Requirements

Brands looking to reduce preservatives often rely on oxygen control instead of additives to maintain freshness.

High-Value or Sensitive Products

Pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and specialty foods benefit from added protection against environmental exposure.

Retail Environments with Variable Conditions

Fluctuating temperatures and storage conditions can accelerate spoilage, oxygen control adds a layer of stability.

Bulk Storage and Inventory Management

Longer-lasting products mean fewer losses, better forecasting, and less pressure to move inventory quickly.

What Changes When Oxygen Is Controlled

Longer shelf life without sacrificing quality

Fresher taste, color, and aroma

Reduced spoilage, waste, and shrink

More stable distribution timelines

Increased product value and customer confidence

Experience The

Benefits

  • FDA-approved
  • Extend shelf life
  • Increase the value of product
  • Environmentally safe & easy to use
  • Delay browning of fruits and vegetables
  • Retain flavor of ingredients and freshness in foods
  • Inhibits bacteria growth, mold & mildew
  • Reduce markdowns & shrink
  • Fresh-bloomed appearance in meat

A Wide Range of

Applications

  • Fresh & dried meats
  • Diagnostic Kits
  • Medical devices
  • Baked goods
  • Rice, grain, noodles, pasta, seeds & nuts
  • Pet food
  • Dried fruits & vegetables
  • Spices, seasonings & herbs
  • Coffee, tea & cocoa
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Vitamins & supplements
  • Oils & extracts

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Brands You Know

Desiccare's oxygen scavengers are used across a wide range of applications by the biggest players in the pharmaceutical & food industries.

Addressing Key Concerns

We understand your concerns. Here's what you need to know.

Do oxygen scavengers replace modified atmosphere packaging?

They often complement it, and can reduce the intensity or cost of MAP systems.

Are these safe for food?

Yes. Our oxygen scavengers are FDA-approved and widely used in food applications.

Will this change the taste or appearance?

No, quite the opposite. They help preserve flavor, aroma, and appearance.

Do we need a custom solution?

Sometimes, and our team specializes in tailoring systems to your product.

If Oxygen Is the Problem, This Is the Solution

Residual oxygen in packaging can compromise product quality, promote spoilage, and shorten shelf life. Desiccare’s oxygen scavenging systems are designed to remove oxygen safely and effectively, helping you maintain freshness, preserve safety, and minimize waste. Let our experts guide you in selecting the right solution for your specific products, packaging, and storage conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our products

Oxygen scavengers remove residual oxygen from sealed packaging, preventing oxidation, spoilage, and the growth of bacteria or mold. By controlling oxygen levels, they help maintain product quality, freshness, and shelf life throughout storage and distribution.

Yes. Desiccare’s oxygen scavengers are FDA-approved and safe for use with food products. They are designed to meet regulatory standards, ensuring that your packaged food remains safe, fresh, and compliant with industry requirements.

O-Buster® is a general-purpose oxygen scavenger suitable for a wide range of products. No-Ox® is an iron-free solution specifically optimized for meat packaging, offering enhanced performance without affecting taste, appearance, or regulatory compliance.

In many cases, oxygen scavengers can reduce or even eliminate the need for vacuum packing or gas flushing. They provide a simple, cost-effective way to control oxygen while maintaining product integrity without complex packaging processes.

Yes. Desiccare offers custom branding and printing on oxygen scavengers. This allows your packaging to carry company logos, usage instructions, or regulatory information while maintaining safety and performance. Contact Us

Absolutely. Our experts will recommend the correct oxygen scavenger size based on your product type, packaging volume, and storage conditions. This ensures optimal protection without overuse or underperformance. Contact Us