Oxygen Absorber by Tianhua Oxygen Absorber by Tianhua

Industry Solution Case Study · Food (Bakery) & Leisure Food

Mooncake Freshness Preservation Solution

OxyFree® food oxygen absorbers for premium mooncakes — from 21% O2 to ≤ 0.01% within 96 hours.

Client: Heritage Shanghai bakery brand (founded 1851)Cooperation: Since 2006Product: OxyFree® Food Oxygen Absorber
Mooncake Freshness Preservation Solution

Program Overview

Tianhua was the first company in China to apply oxygen absorbers to mooncake preservation, pioneering the OxyFree® brand in 1993. Since 2006 we have supplied OxyFree® oxygen absorbers for one of China's most iconic bakery brands, keeping premium mooncakes fresh throughout the Mid-Autumn Festival season and beyond.

Challenge & Protection Requirements

Mooncakes and other oil-rich bakery products are extremely sensitive to oxygen: the high fat content oxidizes rapidly, causing off-flavors, discoloration, and mold. In humid regions (RH above 70%) visible mold can appear within 3–7 days at room temperature, and even in moderate climates shelf life rarely exceeds 2–3 weeks without oxygen control.

Solution

The client specified a two-phase deoxygenation profile — O2 ≤ 0.02% within 24–72 hours, then ≤ 0.01% within 72–96 hours — plus a pre-reaction buffer window to survive production-line transit. The OxyFree® absorber's calibrated reaction rate delivers both, extending shelf life to 3–6 months at room temperature.

Products Used

  • OxyFree® Food Oxygen Absorber

    Calibrated oxygen removal for sealed mooncake packaging, including the documented production-line transfer window.

Deoxygenation Performance: 21% to ≤ 0.01% in 96 Hours

0%5%10%15%20%21.0%0 h8.5%12 h2.1%24 h0.08%48 h≤ 0.02%72 h≤ 0.01%96 h< 0.005%7 d
Measured O2 concentration inside sealed mooncake packaging with the OxyFree® food oxygen absorber.
Time After SealingO2 ConcentrationStageStatus
0 h (initial)~21.0%Ambient airPackaging sealed
12 h~8.5%Early absorptionActive
24 h~2.1%Rapid absorptionActive
48 h~0.08%Phase 1 target approachedOn track
72 h≤ 0.02%Phase 1 target achievedAchieved
96 h≤ 0.01%Phase 2 target achievedAchieved
168 h (7 days)< 0.005%Stable maintenanceLong-term protection

Key Advantages

  • High Stability — Consistent batch-to-batch performance across production runs.
  • Calibrated Reaction Rate — Built-in transfer window prevents premature activation on the production line.
  • Food Safety Compliance — BRC certified; compliant with GB 4806 and EU 1935/2004.
  • Long Shelf Life — Extends mooncake shelf life to 3–6 months at ambient temperature.
  • Category Pioneer — First in China to apply oxygen absorbers to mooncake packaging (1993).
Contact UsRequest a Free Sample

Start a conversation

Get a Free Preservation Consultation