More on Oxygen Absorbers--A Tip for Us All and No Reason to Panic

(Tomorrow marks the four-year anniversary of the start of this blog.  When I first began writing, articles appeared just six days per week, and I knew there was no way I'd come up with enough material to last a year.  Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.)

The use of oxygen absorbers was addressed here on the blog about a year ago.  Click on the link below to refresh your memory, if needed.  Here are a couple more bits of good info to keep in mind when the time comes.

The first is, what to do if a child or pet eats an oxygen absorber.  After all, those words "Do Not Eat" are emblazoned on each and every oxygen absorber packet.  This does not mean the contents are toxic.  Think about it.  For one, every substance that comes into contact with our food has to be food grade.  That, of course, does not make those substances or containers edible.  It just means that they don't taint our food.  Second, poisonous substances are not actually ever put into food packages.  The potential liability there in case of a mistake would be astronomical.  Third, even if the oxygen absorbers were poisonous, the packets would definitely be labeled as such.  And there would be instructions for contacting poison control in case of accidental ingestion.  There is none of that.

The phrase "Do Not Eat" is there to prevent any misunderstanding.  People could possibly think that the packet is a seasoning packet or garnish.  Or perhaps some kind of little treat or something.

Food-grade oxygen absorbers contain just iron and salt, sodium chloride.  While excess iron can be toxic to small children, they'd have to eat a lot of oxygen absorbers to get a toxic dose.  It's just not likely to happen.  If you have concerns, the next time you come across an oxygen absorber, put it in your mouth.  Leave it there a while.  Suck and chew on it.  How likely is your child to eat one?  Not too likely, right?  Pets, of course, can be a different matter.  Just make sure you discard the absorber in the trash and make sure the trash isn't accessible to your pets.  

TIP:  When you have leftover oxygen absorbers that you want to save for your next sealing session, put them in the smallest canning jar that will hold them.  Then fill the air space with uncooked rice or salt.  That way your oxygen absorbers absorb far less of the oxygen in the jar. Also, make sure the lid going on the jar has been softened in simmering water.  While we no longer need to soften the sealing compound in canning lids for canning, that is for canning, which has moisture and heat to soften the sealing compound in the canning process.  We have neither when we are vacuum sealing oxygen absorbers in a canning jar.

References:
https://healthfully.com/happens-eat-oxygen-absorber-8589475.html
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/iron-poisoning#1

10.15.20