E948 · Oxygen
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E948?
Oxygen (E948) is a colorless, odorless gas used in food packaging, typically as part of a gas mixture to preserve the natural color of fresh meat and produce. It makes up about 21% of the air we breathe and is essential for human respiration and metabolism. As a food additive it plays a purely physical role and is not consumed as a nutrient in any special sense beyond ordinary air.
Also appears on labels as: oxygen, Oxygen, O2, molecular oxygen, air oxygen, Oxygen gas, E948, E 948, E-948, Deguonis, Skābeklis, Hapnik.
What the evidence says
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food-use levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is E948 safe?
Our overall verdict for E948 (Oxygen) 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 E948 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Oxygen — 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 E948 and why is it used?
Oxygen (E948) is a colorless, odorless gas used in food packaging, typically as part of a gas mixture to preserve the natural color of fresh meat and produce. It makes up about 21% of the air we breathe and is essential for human respiration and metabolism. As a food additive it plays a purely physical role and is not consumed as a nutrient in any special sense beyond ordinary air.
Does E948 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Oxygen.
Watch E948
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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.