E938 – Argon
StabiliserDescription
Argon
Notes
Argon is a noble gas that occurs naturally in our atmosphere, making up about 1% of the air we breathe every day. It's extracted from air through a process called fractional distillation, where air is cooled to extremely low temperatures until it becomes liquid, then slowly warmed to separate the different gases based on their boiling points. Argon is colorless, odorless, and completely inert, meaning it doesn't react with anything else chemically. In food packaging, argon serves as a protective atmosphere gas that displaces oxygen inside packages to prevent spoilage, rancidity, and color changes. Since oxygen is what causes many foods to deteriorate, replacing it with argon significantly extends shelf life while maintaining freshness. You'll find argon-packed foods primarily in premium products like specialty coffee, nuts, wine, olive oil, and some fresh produce, where maintaining peak quality is essential. Argon is completely natural and poses no dietary restrictions for anyone - it's literally part of the air we breathe. It's suitable for all dietary preferences including vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and halal foods. Since argon is chemically inert and doesn't interact with food in any way, it's considered extremely safe by all food safety authorities. Most of the argon dissipates when packages are opened, and any tiny amounts that might remain are harmlessly exhaled.