E941 · Nitrogen
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E941?
Nitrogen (E941) is an inert, colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the air we breathe. In food, it is used as a packaging gas to displace oxygen, which helps keep products like snack foods, coffee, and packaged salads fresh longer and prevents crushing during shipping. It does not react with food and leaves no residue.
Also appears on labels as: Nitrogen, N₂, Molecular nitrogen, Dinitrogen, E941, E 941, E-941, Nitrogen gas, Compressed nitrogen, Food grade nitrogen, Inert gas, N.
What the evidence says
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food-use levels; nitrogen used as a packaging gas does not remain in or react with the food.
Frequently asked questions
Is E941 safe?
Our overall verdict for E941 (Nitrogen) is “Safe”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe; WHO: safe; EFSA: safe; FSANZ: safe; Japan: safe; UK FSA: safe; Health Canada: safe.
Is E941 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Nitrogen — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E941 and why is it used?
Nitrogen (E941) is an inert, colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the air we breathe. In food, it is used as a packaging gas to displace oxygen, which helps keep products like snack foods, coffee, and packaged salads fresh longer and prevents crushing during shipping. It does not react with food and leaves no residue.
Does E941 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Nitrogen.
Watch E941
Get an email if the EFSA or FDA position on Nitrogen changes, or when new research is added to this page.
EatMatrix reads any ingredient list with your camera and flags every additive instantly.
This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.