Comparing E941 - Nitrogen vs E948 - Oxygen

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Overview

E941 - Nitrogen

Nitrogen (E941) is an odorless, tasteless gas used in food and drink to protect freshness and to push products out of cans. It replaces oxygen in packages and powers aerosol foams without reacting with the food. It is the same nitrogen that makes up most of the air we breathe.

E948 - Oxygen

Oxygen (E948) is a colorless, odorless gas used in food packaging to help keep some foods looking and tasting their best. In “modified atmosphere packaging” (MAP), it can be added to the headspace of a pack, especially for red meats, to support a bright, appealing color and maintain product quality. It is the same oxygen found in air, but supplied at food-grade purity for safety.

Synonyms

E941

Nitrogen

nitrogen E941

E948

Oxygen

element 8

Functions

packaging gas propellant

packaging gas

Origins

Synthetic

Products

Found in 79 products

Found in 8 products

Search rank & volume

#4368K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#1897K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×118.39

over-aware

×1090.87

over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

How many valence electrons does nitrogen have?
Five; a nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons (2s2 2p3).
What is nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric N2 (E941) into biologically available forms like ammonia by microbes, lightning, or the industrial Haber–Bosch process.
What is nitrogen used for?
In foods, E941 is used as an inert propellant and packaging gas to displace oxygen, prevent oxidation, and extend shelf life. Liquid nitrogen is also used for rapid freezing and to create fine bubbles/creamy textures in beverages (e.g., nitro coffee or beer).
Is nitrogen a greenhouse gas?
No—diatomic nitrogen (N2, E941) is not a greenhouse gas because it does not absorb infrared radiation; nitrous oxide (N2O, E942) is.
What is the nitrogen cycle?
The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen among the atmosphere, soils, water, and living organisms. It includes fixation of N2 (E941) into reactive forms, biological uptake, and return to N2 via processes like denitrification.