Beckman instruments help to ensure food safety by measuring the oxygen content of the headspace inside food packaging. Oxygen readings that are too high could indicate an environment that encourages the growth of mold or bacteria.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an accurate way to measure the acidity of his product. The resulting instrument kicked off rapid development not only of Beckman Instruments, Inc. but also of the electronic scientific instrument industry.