For Consumers - Why Gas Analysis is so Important in Food and Pharmaceuticals

Food and pharmaceutical technology has progressed as far, and as fast, as other technologies. Consumers often find themselves confronted with new processes, and new ideas in food and pharmaceutical packaging and preparation which are unfamiliar and sometimes downright baffling.

In the all-important area of food safety and quality, unsung heroes in the form of gas analyzers are in the front line of protecting foods and pharmaceutical products of all kinds. The two main gases of interest in food technology are carbon dioxide and oxygen. Oxygen is the gas which turns food stale. Carbon dioxide may occur as a result of fermentation, organic chemical processes, bacteria in the food, or chemical problems caused by heat.

More importantly, however, the presence of these gases at higher than standard levels may indicate possibly serious contamination problems. Something as simple as extra moisture within food packaging, for example, can trigger a whole range of chemical processes. Carbon dioxide is one of the usual products of these processes.

Therefore, if you see unusually high levels of CO2, you know that there is something happening which isn’t supposed to be happening. Oxygen, on the other hand, may be present as a result of perforations in packaging, or unintentional extra oxygen locked in during the packaging process. That oxygen, of course, will spoil the food. Both oxygen and CO2 can also sabotage pharmaceuticals, making them effectively useless.

You can see why testing might be a good idea. Carbon dioxide testers and oxygen analyzers are used routinely in the food packaging process as quality controls. In pharmaceuticals, they are basically mandatory testing processes. This testing is carried out at various stages of production and packaging, to ensure products are chemically stable and have not been contaminated.

The good news for consumers is that the new generation of oxygen meters, carbon dioxide testers, and multi-gas analysis equipment is infinitely more efficient than in the past. A good example of the very latest on the market is a company called Quantek Instruments, one of America’s leading manufacturers of testing equipment.

Check out their website here at www.quantekinstruments.com for a good look at the technologies which are making your food and pharmaceuticals safe.

Food Gas Analyzers 101 – Why they’re so Important and why You Need The Best

Gas analyzers in the food industry are used to monitor carbon dioxide and oxygen in food packaging. These analyses are extremely important in terms of food
preservation, and prevention of contamination.

Carbon dioxide and oxygen are organic chemicals, present in all food products. If these gases are present inside packaging as free agents, they can represent major
liabilities to the products. Precision monitoring is critical to ensuring that foods are not contaminated.

Carbon dioxide may be released through a range of chemical interactions, including spoilage, and in some cases contamination with materials which have created chemical
reactions inside the packaging. Oxygen is the gas which turns food stale. It combines with organic materials, effectively spoiling the food.

Best practice management includes the use of oxygen measurement and carbon dioxide gas analyzers. Typically, measurements are carried out throughout the packaging
process is a safeguard and as standard quality control procedures.

Industrial best practice is pretty straightforward:

Oxygen and carbon dioxide testers are designed to be used at all stages of manufacturing.

The actual testing process is quite simple, involving insertion of a syringe and needle in to packaging which takes up sample gases.

Sensors are calibrated to analyze gases in parts per million (ppm) according to specific standards.

If food packaging is subjected to gas flushing, these measurements are also used to check the levels of remnant gases in packaging after these processes.

If you’re getting the impression that all this testing is a critical part of the packaging process, you’re quite right. It is quite possible for production problems
and contaminants to completely destroy food products. Detection prevents waste. Testing is an absolute bottom line, must-do safety check.

The new CO2 analyzers and carbon dioxide testers are superefficient. A company called Quantek Instruments is the best example of the latest gas testing products in the
US. To see the new tech and learn how it works, see their website here at www.quantekinstruments.com.

(Take a little extra time to check out their information. They provide excellent, easy to understand, step-by-step information regarding testing processes, testing
products, and more.)

Yes,You do Need new Generation CO2 Analysis Technology for Food Packaging

Carbon dioxide is one of the major issues for packaged food. This gas is a natural product of organic processes, and it can contaminate food quite easily. It can
literally destroy taste, and spoil food very effectively.

The new generation of CO2 analyzers is a major technological step up in many ways. This technology is a major asset in food technology, allowing precision measurement
of gas formation and distribution throughout the production process.

There are various sources of problematic carbon dioxide in food packaging:

Chemical interactions

Fermentation, both in processing and in storage after packaging

Temperature-related chemical breakdown of food materials

Fungal action or product-sourced material breakdown

Modern CO2 analyzers, the basics:

CO2 measurement is the modern equivalent of the canary in the coalmine. Defective packaging, contaminated food, water, and other agents can be detected very quickly
using new generation analytical equipment. This very quick, straightforward process can save vast amounts of money, time, and production chaos.

CO2 analysers come in a rather large range of different types. The new equipment is highly efficient, providing a virtual real-time audit trail at all stages of food
production and packaging.

If you’re looking for CO2 analysis equipment, it’s a good idea to check out the top-of-the-line manufacturers first. They have all the new equipment, and you can see
the full spectrum of technologies, prices and product choices.

The best place to explore your full range of options is a company called Quantek Instruments, a leading manufacturer with a long and excellent track record in the
industry. This company combines high functionality with a lot of experience and very practical solutions for any kind of food packaging testing.

Their new range of products includes benchtop models, hand-held models, and other testing equipment like oxygen analyzers. If you check out their website here at
www.quantekinstruments.com, you’ll see a lot of very useful, clearly laid out information explaining the new products and how they work. Take a little time to check
out the full range of products, and then speak to the experts directly.