![As well as supplying gases, BOC food technologists work closely with their customers to improve methods of packaging and preservation. Here food products are laid out at the front-end of a freezing tunnel prior to being frozen with BOC liquid nitrogen.](/en/images/20131212_18984_289x160_13708_tcm626-112641.jpg)
![As well as supplying gases, BOC food technologists work closely with their customers to improve methods of packaging and preservation. Here food products are laid out at the front-end of a freezing tunnel prior to being frozen with BOC liquid nitrogen.](/en/images/20131212_18984_289x160_13708_tcm626-112641.jpg)
Liquid nitrogen is used for cooling, freezing, modified atmosphere packaging and inerting. In cooling and freezing processes the high vaporization temperature of liquid nitrogen is used to quickly cool and freeze food.
In food packaging, nitrogen gas is used to eliminate the oxygen in the atmosphere, thus minimizing the growth of micro-organisms and the oxidation of fat.
In the storing and bottling of wines and oils, nitrogen is used as an inert gas to eliminate oxidation and extend the shelf-life of the products.