How do the silica gel packets inside some packed food keep the food fresh?
Silica gel absorbs moisture. In doing so it tends to prevent mold developing. It acts to contain natural sweating that meats, cheeses and vegetables are prone to. Silica Gel can only absorb so much moisture and then it becomes ineffective. It can be restored by drying it in a gentle heat to dry it out again. The paper has to be porous or of a type that allows moisture through so the gel can absorb it. The gel does not have an expiry date but is only used to keep the food fresh for as long as the expirey date given to the food.
