Have you ever opened a package of beef jerky and found a small packet labeled “do not eat”?
That little packet is an oxygen absorber, designed to keep the jerky fresh by removing excess oxygen. But what happens if you accidentally eat it?
While it may seem harmless, the truth is that ingesting even a small amount of elemental iron from the oxygen absorber can cause severe poisoning.
In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of eating oxygen absorbers in beef jerky and what you should do if it happens to you or someone you know.
So, let’s dive in and learn more about this potentially hazardous situation.
What Happens If You Eat Oxygen Absorber In Beef Jerky?
The oxygen absorber packet found in beef jerky is typically about 1 inch by 1 inch and contains elemental iron granules. These granules react with oxygen to create iron oxide, which prevents oxidization and preserves the freshness of the jerky.
However, if the packet is accidentally ingested, it can cause severe poisoning. Elemental iron is very irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and has direct corrosive effects. Vomiting (with or without blood) is one of the first signs of poisoning. In fact, if a person or animal does not vomit after ingesting the packet, it’s probable that a toxic dose was not ingested.
If a toxic dose was ingested, severe metabolic acidosis, shock, and hepatic toxicity can develop one to five days after exposure. The severity of the poisoning is dose-dependent, meaning that the more iron ingested, the more severe the symptoms will be.
While adults are unlikely to experience any problems from ingesting an oxygen absorber packet, children and pets are at a higher risk for severe poisoning. According to Medscape, iron poisoning is a common toxicological pediatric emergency. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. If these symptoms occur, it’s important to seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
What Is An Oxygen Absorber And Why Is It Used In Beef Jerky?
Oxygen absorbers are small packets containing iron granules that are added to beef jerky packaging to prevent the growth of microorganisms that can make the jerky unfit to eat. The packets work by absorbing excess oxygen from the packaging, creating a nitrogen-rich environment that inhibits the growth of aerobic bacteria.
The iron granules inside the packet react with oxygen to create iron oxide, which prevents oxidization and preserves the freshness of the beef jerky. Sodium chloride and activated charcoal can also be used in the packets to absorb oxygen and preserve food quality.
Manufacturers prefer oxygen absorbers over other methods like vacuum packaging because they are more convenient and can be used with a variety of packaging methods. Vacuum packaging can also crumple the packaging, making it unattractive to customers.
It’s important to note that oxygen absorbers are designed to absorb only small amounts of oxygen, and they cannot control massive flows of oxygen that result from leaks in the packaging. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the packaging is properly sealed to maximize the effectiveness of the oxygen absorbers.
The Dangers Of Ingesting An Oxygen Absorber
Ingesting an oxygen absorber packet can be extremely dangerous. The packet contains elemental iron granules that can cause severe poisoning, even in small amounts. Elemental iron is highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and has direct corrosive effects.
Vomiting, with or without blood, is one of the first signs of poisoning. If a person or animal does not vomit after ingesting the packet, it’s probable that a toxic dose was not ingested. However, if a toxic dose was ingested, severe metabolic acidosis, shock, and hepatic toxicity can develop one to five days after exposure.
The severity of the poisoning is dose-dependent, meaning that the more iron ingested, the more severe the symptoms will be. Children and pets are at a higher risk for severe poisoning than adults. According to Medscape, iron poisoning is a common toxicological pediatric emergency. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
If someone ingests an oxygen absorber packet, it’s important to seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Drinking lots of water can help dilute the iron and reduce the risk of severe poisoning. It’s also important to contact customer services for advice and support in case of accidental ingestion.
Symptoms Of Iron Poisoning
Iron poisoning can cause a range of symptoms depending on the amount of iron ingested. In the first stage, which occurs within the first 6 hours, gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea may occur. The second stage occurs between 6 and 24 hours when the individual or animal may appear to be completely better. However, between 12 and 96 hours, the third stage occurs, which is when the worst of the clinical symptoms occur. These symptoms can include muscle tremors, bloody diarrhea, rapid heart rate, jaundice, hypotension, seizures, organ damage, shock, and possibly death if not treated right away.
Iron poisoning can also cause long-term effects such as intestinal strictures and blockages up to six weeks later. Even if an individual or animal only shows mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, they can still develop these strictures. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if iron poisoning is suspected.
It is important to note that while iron is a common trace mineral in the body, it is incredibly toxic to tissues when there is too much in the blood. Iron toxicity is not always caused by medication but can also be found in heating pads, pesticides, fertilizers, and even oxygen absorbers that are found in dried or dehydrated foods. The level of toxicity from iron depends on how much is already in the blood at the time of ingestion and how much is ingested.
What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Ingests An Oxygen Absorber
If you or someone you know ingests an oxygen absorber packet, it’s important to take immediate action. The first step is to determine the amount of iron ingested and if there are any remaining packets. If the packet was ingested whole, it’s important to take a radiograph to look for metal dense objects in the stomach. Exposure can also be confirmed with a serum iron level taken 4-6 hours post-ingestion.
If a toxic dose was ingested, the pet or person should receive immediate medical attention. Following the induction of emesis, gastric lavage or whole bowel irrigation may be necessary. Administration of oral aluminum or magnesium hydroxide may prevent some systemic absorption of iron by precipitating elemental iron into an insoluble form. Activated charcoal is not of benefit as it does not readily bind to iron and should not be given.
The pet or person should be given supportive care until the serum iron level results are returned. If clinical signs of gastrointestinal upset are seen, anti-emetics, H2 blockers such as famotidine, sucralfate, and IV fluids may be needed. If the iron level comes back greater than 300-400 mcg/dL, chelation therapy with deferoxamine may be necessary to prevent organ damage.
Preventing Accidental Ingestion Of Oxygen Absorbers In Beef Jerky
To prevent accidental ingestion of oxygen absorber packets in beef jerky, it’s important to be aware of their presence in the packaging. These packets are typically labeled with “do not eat” or “throw away” warnings, so it’s important to read and follow the instructions carefully.
It’s also important to keep beef jerky and other food products containing oxygen absorber packets out of reach of children and pets. Store them in a safe and secure location where they cannot be accessed easily.
If you are giving beef jerky or other food products containing oxygen absorber packets to your pets, make sure to remove the packet before giving them the treat. Pets may not understand that the packet is not edible and may try to ingest it, leading to potential poisoning.
