Is that packet in the food packaging bag a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent?

Small packages in food packaging bags are antioxidants. Belonging to a reducing agent.

First, the efficacy and principle of antioxidants in food bags:

In many food packaging bags, manufacturers will put a small packet of antioxidants, which will be marked with the words "antioxidant, inedible". Its function is to absorb the oxygen in the food bag, so that the oxygen level in the bag is controlled at a very low level and the propagation of microorganisms in the bag is prevented. Because the growth and division of microorganisms need the participation of oxygen, the sporophyte and mycelium of microorganisms will be strongly inhibited under anoxic environmental conditions. Thereby preserving the food in the bag and reducing the possibility of microbial contamination.

Second, the composition of antioxidants

The ingredients of food reducing agents are generally some vitamins, phenols, iron powder and so on. Because these substances easily react with oxygen, food will not be oxidized.

Third, the occurrence principle of antioxidants:

Take active iron antioxidant as an example;

Because active iron is a kind of fine iron powder with large surface area, it reacts faster with oxygen. Also known as reduced iron powder.

In general, the reaction equation is 4Fe+3O2+6H2O=4Fe(OH)3, and rust may occur.

Secondly, these smaller particles of iron powder will also absorb the water in food packaging bags, some of which comes from the inside of food and some from nature. After absorbing most of the excess water, the relative humidity in food packaging bags can be kept constant, which plays an extremely important role in controlling microbial pollution.