A desiccant is a moisture-absorbing material, commonly silica gel or calcium chloride, placed inside packaging or a shipping container to reduce humidity and protect hygroscopic food products from caking, clumping and quality deterioration during storage and transport.
In trade practice
For dried fruit, powders and honey products shipped by sea, desiccants are placed inside the carton or container to counteract condensation caused by temperature fluctuations during the voyage. The type, quantity and placement of desiccant are agreed between buyer and supplier and documented in the packaging specification. A common mistake is using an insufficient quantity of desiccant relative to the cargo volume and voyage duration, leaving products vulnerable to moisture uptake. Desiccant use does not replace the need for correct moisture content and water activity at the point of packing.
In a specification
Packaging specifications for hygroscopic products state the desiccant type, quantity per carton or container, and placement method, with the supplier responsible for confirming correct application before sealing.