Hydrogen
Packaging gas.
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
An inert, harmless gas used to replace the air inside food packaging.
How it is used in food
By flushing oxygen out of a bag of chips and replacing it with nitrogen (E941), the chips stay perfectly crispy and do not go stale for months.
Commonly found in- Potato chip bags
- Packaged salads
- Cooking sprays
- Whipped cream dispensers
Health and safety
Absolutely zero risk. These are the natural gases you breathe every day in the atmosphere.
Evaluated by EFSA and confirmed safe for use in food at authorized levels.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E949
Worth knowing
The puffiness of a bag of potato chips isn't just to trick you on volume — it's a protective cushion of pure nitrogen gas to stop the chips from being crushed and going stale.
Conclusion
There is absolutely no reason to avoid this natural packaging gas. Extracted directly from the Earth's atmosphere, it is used to manage the atmosphere inside food packaging. You already breathe trace amounts of it every day, making it completely safe.
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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