Various snack foods including potato chips & peanuts rely on a source of nitrogen for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP).
MAP is a technique which helps maintain product freshness, quality and extend shelf-life. It uses nitrogen which is a clean, dry, inert gas, to reduce the oxygen content within food packaging to prevent product deterioration which may occur due to oxidative rancidity, moisture loss or gain, microbial, in addition to mould induced spoilage.
Nitrogen can also be used as a filler gas to create a pressurized atmosphere that prevents 'package collapse' thus helping to protect the product.
