Liquid Nitrogen | 18 May 2024

Source: TH

The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department has issued a circular on the use of liquid nitrogen saying the substance can only be used to preserve packaged food, and use other than this is prohibited.

  • Liquid nitrogen is primarily used as Food Preservatives as it increases shelf-life of packaged foods.
    • It expands 700 times when it evaporates, displacing oxygen in the food pack and preventing microbial action, improving shelf life and freshness.
    • It is an Inert, colorless, odorless cryogenic fluid.
  • It is also used in cryotherapy for cancer treatment. It can treat many cancers, including those of skin, bone, breast, cervical, eye, kidney, liver, lung, and prostate.