YenzoWhat is E938 (argon)?
In Yenzo's data, E938 (INS 938) is Argon.
E938Argon
E938 is Argon. INS 938 is not in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, so this page does not yet state a Vietnamese rule for it.
Did you know? In winemaking, argon is added to wine barrels to remove excess air: it settles above the liquid and protects the wine from souring and oxidation (literature cited by EFSA).
- Code
- E938 · INS 938
- Group
- Packaging gas
In VietnamOutside the CircularNot covered by Circular 24/2019
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E938 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, packaging gas (938), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
packaging gas (938)packaging gas 938E938INS 938
Argon in food
Fruit wine and made wine
Perishable foods in protective-atmosphere packaging
Questions about argon
Is argon harmful?
In 2024 EFSA re-evaluated argon together with helium. They are noble gases, highly stable single atoms and chemically inert; EFSA considered them of low concern as additives and concluded that the use of argon (E 938) does not raise a safety concern. EFSA set no numerical ADI and did not estimate intake for lack of data, but assumed that any dietary exposure would be low because the gases dissolve little in food.
Is E938 permitted in Vietnam?
INS 938 was not found in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (consolidated 09/VBHN-BYT). The page draws no conclusion on the rule for E938.
Can children and pregnant women have E938?
According to EFSA (2024), argon is authorised in the EU at quantum satis (as much as needed) in all food categories of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, including foods for infants and young children. For pregnant women, this source contains no separate rule or statement.
Other packaging gases
E290Carbon dioxidevery lowE939Heliumvery lowE941Nitrogenvery lowE942Nitrous oxidevery lowE948Oxygenvery lowE949Hydrogenvery low
See all packaging gases →Updated 20 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e938)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2024). Re-evaluation of argon (E 938) and helium (E 939) as food additives