What happens if a child swallows an oxygen absorber packet?
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The bottom line
Oxygen absorber packets inhibit food spoilage by removing dissolved oxygen from food. They also preserve the color, texture, and aroma of food. The packets contain iron powder, salt, and activated carbon or clay. If swallowed, choking or digestive tract blockage is a risk. Iron poisoning is unlikely since this type of iron is poorly absorbed, but mild stomach irritation can occur.
Prevention tips
Store oxygen absorber packets up, away, and out of reach of children.
Do not eat oxygen absorber packets.
Do not break open the packets.
Use oxygen absorber packets for low-moisture foods.
Do not use them for loose powders (such as salt, sugar, or baking soda) or wet or liquid items.
Seal in airtight bags or jars.
This really happened
A 5-year-old girl swallowed the contents of a small sachet inside a cake package that was labeled “Do Not Eat: Oxygen Absorber.” She sprinkled it onto the cake and ate it. She was brought to the emergency department 30 minutes later. She had no symptoms, and her vital signs, physical exam, lab tests, and EKG were normal. An X-ray of the abdomen showed fine, diffusely distributed radiopaque granules in the stomach and small bowel that were attributed to the iron powder. She stayed for observation, developed no symptoms, and was sent home.
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What are oxygen absorber packets?
Oxygen absorber packets remove dissolved oxygen from food. This inhibits food spoilage microorganisms and preserves the color, texture, and aroma of food products. They are used for long-term storage of foods such as beans, coffee, flour, nuts, oats, and rice.
The packets usually contain iron powder, salt, and activated carbon or clay. These are in a porous wrapper that allows oxygen and moisture in but keeps the inner powder away from the food. The iron pulls oxygen out of the air and turns into iron oxide. Some brand names include FreshUS, Harvest Keeper, LEM Products, O-Buster, PackFresh USA, and StayFresh.
What happens if a child swallows an oxygen absorber packet?
If a child swallows an oxygen absorber packet, the main risk is choking on the packet or digestive tract blockage.
What to do if someone swallows an oxygen absorber packet
If someone swallows an oxygen absorber packet, check that they are not choking. If only one packet is swallowed, toxicity from the substances in the packet is unlikely. If more than one is swallowed, seek medical advice.
Get expert help
If someone swallows an oxygen absorber packet, or if you have a question about oxygen absorber packets, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Can oxygen absorber packets cause iron poisoning?
Iron poisoning is unlikely since the type of iron in oxygen absorber packets is poorly soluble, so very little is absorbed. Mild stomach irritation may occur, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Oxygen absorber packets vs. silica gel packets
Oxygen absorbers and silica gel packets are not interchangeable and should not be stored in the same container. Oxygen absorbers remove oxygen from the sealed container, which prevents food spoilage. They are single use only.
Silica gel packets contain silicon dioxide that absorbs water and prevents mold, mildew, and clumping. Some uses include medicine bottles, dry powders (such as salt and sugar), electronics, and leather goods. If you dry them out in an oven, they can be reused.