Food-grade nitrous oxide is produced through a process called fractional distillation:

• Production:Nitrous oxide is initially produced through various chemical reactions.
• Purification: The raw nitrous oxide contains impurities. Fractional distillation is a precise method to separate and purify the gas.  
• Separation:The gas mixture is heated and then gradually cooled. As the temperature drops, different components of the mixture condense at specific temperatures. Nitrous oxide has a distinct condensation point, allowing it to be separated from other gases.  
• Refinement:Further purification steps may be employed to ensure the highest possible purity for food-grade use. This involves removing any trace impurities that could affect food safety or quality.