Question

Oil/fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Give the reason.

Answer 1

When oil and fat-containing food are kept for long they tend to have a change in taste or smell. This is due to a process called rancidity.

Rancidity:

Rancidity is the oxidative chemical degradation of oils and fats resulting in unpleasant taste and smell.

Causes:

Rancidity is the oxidation of oil and fatty foodstuff. The ester present in oily food gets converted to the corresponding free fatty acid.

Prevention:

1. By adding antioxidants ( substances that slow or inhibit the oxidation and deterioration of foodstuff). For example, Nitrogen.
2. By using airtight containers.

Hence, Nitrogen being an antioxidant will slow down the process of rancidity in foodstuff containing oil/fat.