Products
AGELESS®, Oxygen absorber
“Iron absorbs oxygen when it rust.” “Prevent oxidation by eliminating oxygen.” Just by implementing a combination of such simple ideas, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical was able to develop AGELESS the world’s first free-oxygen absorbing agent.
The free-oxygen absorbing agent, AGELESS, absorbs oxygen in a sealed container and creates a deoxidized environment, where the concentration of oxygen is 0.1% or lower. This way, it is possible to preserve foods by eliminating the ill effects of oxygen.
The free-oxygen absorbing agent AGELESS preserves both the taste and freshness of food.
This outstanding feature of AGELESS also expands its application to pharmaceutical products, clothing, and cosmetics. AGELESS is also used widely to ward off mold as well as mites from clothing and bedding.
*AGELESS is a registered trademark for an oxygen absorber manufactured and sold by MGC.
Main Applications
When using AGELESS, the most suitable type for the target product and packaging state must be selected.（Target products:Confectionery, ham/sausages, cut rice cakes, tea, pharmaceuticals, etc.）
There is a lineup of various AGELESS products matched to product type and application.
In addition to loose products, there are also continuously-packaged AGELESS products for automatic feeding in connection with a packaging machine.(An AGELSS automated feed device is needed)
*We will introduce the type matched to your application.
Product Specifications
Iron-type
Moisture-dependent type
Starts absorbing oxygen after contact with high-humidity air.
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
FX |
FX | Cut rice cakes, rice-flour dumplings, fresh noodles, raw wakame, miso, raw bread flour, sweet adzuki, etc. It has superior water resistance. |
0.85 or more |
| FX-L | Bean-jam pancakes, delicacies, ham, sausage, chicken nuggets, pizza crust, dried fish, tsukudani (preservable food boiled down in soy sauce), pet food, etc. | ||
| FJ | Stick salami, individually-packaged confectionery, etc. | 0.8 or more | |
| FM | Cooked rice, baked sweet potatoes, for microwave defrosting, etc. | 0.8 or more | |
Self-reactive type [Ferrous self-reactive type]
- AGELESS itself contains the moisture necessary for reaction, and starts to absorb oxygen on contact with air.
- Unlike moisture-dependent type, it is less constrained by the packaging form and the position in which it is loaded.
- It has a fast-acting type that absorbs oxygen quickly, as well as a general type.
Fast-acting type
A fast oxygen-scavenging type for foods that are quickly damaged.
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
S |
S SP |
Steamed buns, ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped pancake), saogashi (long-shaped Japanese sweets), sponge cake, Baumkuchen, dried bonito shavings, pizza, semi-baked sweets, madeleines, etc. | 0.65 to 0.95 |
| SS | Fresh fish fillets, fish roe, etc. For freezing and refrigeration. Oil-resistant. | 0.65 to 0.95 | |
SP: For loose products of size 1,000 or greater only.
Oxygen detection agent integrated type
This type can confirm the presence or absence of oxygen by attaching the oxygen detection strip (performance is the same as the S type).
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
SPE  |
SPE | Steamed buns, ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped pancake), saogashi (long-shaped Japanese sweets), sponge cake, Baumkuchen, dried bonito shavings, pizza, semi-baked sweets, madeleines, etc. | 0.70～0.90 Application scope for PAPER EYE |
General type
Type for low to moderate moisture foods.
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
ZP |
ZP Z-PT |
General-purpose type for medium to high-moisture foods. Donuts, moon cakes, financiers, brandy cakes, salami, beef jerky, pet food, Rice crackers, rice, millet, nuts, dried fish, etc. Oil-resistant. | 0.95 or less |
| Z-PKC | For low-moisture foods. 。Superior aroma retention. It can be used together with a desiccant. Coffee, tea, nuts, rice crackers, dried vegetables, spices, seaweed, pharmaceuticals, etc. | 0.65 or less | |
ZJ-PT ZJ-PK  |
ZJ-PT ZJ-PK |
Small goods (30 × 20 mm) for stick packaging, individually-packaged confectioneries, tea bags, stick packaging, loose goods only. ZJ-PT is oil-resistant. | ZP/Z-PT Equivalent to Z-PKC |
Non-ferrous type
- An organic substance is used as the main ingredient, so the detection sensitivity of metal detectors is low.
- The sensitivity is on par with or lower than φ1.0 mm ferrous spheres. Some metal detectors may require the non-ferrous sphere setting.
Self-reactive type
Oxygen absorption type
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
GLS |
GLS | Ham, sausage, chicken nuggets, etc. Oil-resistant. | 0.3～0.95 |
GL-M |
GL-M | Can be used with microwave ovens. | 0.3～0.95 |
Compound function type
Generates carbon dioxide while absorbing oxygen. This type is used to prevent packaging shrinkage due to the oxygen absorption.
| Type | Main Applications | Application Scope (Aw) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
GT |
GT | Nuts, dried fish, etc. Oil-resistant. | 0.3 to 0.9 |
Others
AGELESS Q&A
Q:How should AGELESS be disposed of?
A:The AGELESS packaging material is composed of a plastic film containing paper. Please dispose of it according to your local rules.
Q:What should one do if AGELESS is accidentally ingested?
A:The main ingredients of AGELESS are iron powder and vitamin C, etc., and the main ingredients of AGELESS EYE are inorganic salts and dyes.Their safety has been confirmed in acute toxicity testing by public institutions. In addition, the packaging materials used in AGELESS and AGELESS EYE use materials that have met the “Regulations and Standards for Food Containers, Utensils, and Packaging” according to MHLW Notification 370 of 1959, or MHLW Notification 20 of 1982 and can come into direct contact with foodstuffs.
- What if the powder inside AGELESS has entered the eyes?
This may injure the eyes. Flush with a large volume of water and seek medical attention. - What if the AGELESS (AGELESS EYE) packet is accidentally swallowed?
This may injure the esophagus/digestive organs. Seek medical attention. - What if the powder inside AGELESS attaches to the skin?
Wash thoroughly with soap. - What if the powder inside AGELESS is mistakenly placed in the mouth?
Rinse the inside of the mouth with water. - What if AGELESS is boiled together with noodles or the like?
There is no problem with safety, but the iron powder, etc., may harm the taste.
In addition, if the packaging of AGELESS has been broken, the iron powder contained therein may mix with food, and it is not recommended to eat it.
Q:What if food with AGELESS in it has been heated in a microwave?
A: It is necessary to remove AGELESS if food with AGELESS in it is to be heated in a microwave. If a product is heated in a microwave with AGELESS left in, it will spark and scorch the packaging, and may in some situations start a fire. Moreover, aseptic cooked rice may contain microwave-compatible AGELESS. Therefore check the warning label on the food packaging.
Q:The AGELESS has become warm.
A:When the packaging of food using AGELESS is opened, AGELESS may heat up due to the oxidation reaction. However, the amount of heat is small, and so it generally will not lead to burns. In addition, there is no concern of it causing fire. The temperature and duration of heat generation differs according to the AGELESS product type and packaging state.
Q: Can AGELESS be reused?
A: It cannot be reused. Remove and discard AGELESS after unsealing the foodstuff, etc.