An oxygen-scavenging composition comprising (I) an oxidizable metal component, (II) an electrolyte component, (III) a non-electrolytic, acidifying component, and (IV) a non ionic surfactant component, preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyethylene glycol ethers, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, polypropylene glycol polyethylene glycol block copolymers and polyethylene polyethylene glycol block copolymers.
