YenzoWhat is E939 (helium)?
In Yenzo's data, E939 (INS 939) is Helium.
E939Helium
E939 is Helium. INS 939 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 studies cited by EFSA, helium has been tested to control bacterial growth in packaged raw fish, to inactivate pathogens in processed meats and to reduce the content of biogenic amines in red wines.
- Code
- E939 · INS 939
- 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 E939 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, packaging gas (939), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
packaging gas (939)packaging gas 939E939INS 939
Questions about helium
Is helium harmful?
In 2024 EFSA re-evaluated helium together with argon. 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 helium (E 939) 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 helium dissolves very little in food.
Is E939 permitted in Vietnam?
INS 939 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 E939.
Can children and pregnant women have E939?
According to EFSA (2024), helium 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 lowE938Argonvery 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:e939)
- 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