Specifically, composed protective gas atmospheres (Modified Packaging Atmospheres, MAP) contribute to the longevity of food stuffs – as long as the concentrations of the different gases do not change for the duration of a product's shelf life.
Tracer gas allows for package integrity testing preventing foods from being exposed to atmosphere, thus guaranteeing shelf life.
Leak detection with tracer gas is based on a pressure difference being generated between the interior and the exterior of a test object, such that the tracer gas - in the food industry mostly CO2 or helium - is able to flow out of the package through any existing leak, generating a measurably changed partial pressure in the chamber.
Helium gas is used due its small molecular size which ensures low leak rates are detectable.
Tracer gas
