That's what the Internet said and I had some in the freezer, so I spread it all over the fridge side and tossed a bag of mesquite charcoal in the freezer side. Probably not the same as active charcoal, but that's what I had. The coffee side seems fresher that the charcoal side, but the meat was in the freezer, so I can't say what did what, but I can tell you the stench could be smelt over 100 yards away on a windless night when I opened the door the first time. I thought the neighbors were going to call the cops and report a dead body LOL!