Abstract:
A composition for absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide in a high moisture environment including by weight an iron-based component for absorbing oxygen in an amount of between about 15% and 60%, a carbon dioxide releasing component for releasing carbon dioxide in an amount of between about 8% and 50%, an acidifying component for providing acid for activating the carbon dioxide releasing component, and a dry water-attracting component for preventing premature activation of the iron-based component and carbon dioxide releasing component and for attracting water from a high moisture environment to thereby supply water for activating the acidifying component and the iron-based component. A method of absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide in a container having a product and a high moisture environment and wherein oxygen was flushed out and replaced by at least 26% carbon dioxide and the remaining atmosphere in the container having 17% or less oxygen content after the flushing and into which additional oxygen may have entered including the steps of providing a container, placing a product into the container, flushing the container with a gas containing carbon dioxide, and inserting into the container a packet containing the above described composition.