What is in package meat to make it go pop?

QUESTION:

What is in package meat to make it go pop when you open the plastic on top. Is this safe? Like Macro chicken pieces in the green container.

ANSWER:

My understanding is that these packages contain modified atmosphere packaging. These products are gas flushed. From what I can see, most meats are gas flushed with a combination of Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen. These are used to slow down the oxidation processes and keep the food attractive and edible for as long as possible.

Machinery is used to flush out the air from the package and replace it with a gas mixture, then this is sealed in the product so that the meat is surrounded with this gas only.

My preference is to buy my meat from the butcher and limit excessive packaging if I can. If I can’t, my order of preference is to buy vacuum packaged over modified atmosphere packaged foods.