You can store some items for years and years in the pantry if you do it correctly. Still, some can go bad in months even if there doesn’t seem to be anything amiss on the outside. A lot of the difference can be attributed to food mylar bags. The inside of these bags is constructed of a metallized material that is much more effective at blocking light, oxygen and moisture than regular plastic, the key component to the actual length of time that dry food can last.
It’s the same reason for home preppers and also the small food manufacturers. It’s also among the few packaging methods that could reasonably be extended to provide extended grain, bean, and freeze-dried food storage for years rather than months.
Why can some food last for years when it is stored? Other food does not last that long.
The main thing that affects how long food stays good is when food is around oxygen gets wet or is in the light. No matter how dry the food seems when you put it away or how stable it seems, if the packaging does not keep out oxygen, moisture and light then the food will not stay good for long as food that is properly packaged. Food that is stored with oxygen, moisture and light will not last long as food that is stored without these things so food storage is very important for foods to last years longer than other foods.
Normally, these plastic bags would allow for some gas to permeate through them over time, thus allowing fats and nutrients to break down gradually. Fortunately, food Mylar Bags come with a barrier layer that prevents almost all of that exchange which is why they are always recommended for the long storage of items such as rice, beans, sugar, and freeze-dried meals, etc.
What Food Storage Mylar Packaging Actually Protects Against
Food storage is really important. Mylar packaging is very strong. You can see right through it. It keeps everything inside safe by stopping three things that can hurt our food: oxygen that makes food go bad, moisture that makes mould grow and light that takes away the stuff in our food over time.
When we use Mylar packaging with a packet that absorbs oxygen inside the container it helps keep our dry food good for a very long time. This means that Food Storage Mylar Packaging and the oxygen absorber can make types of dry food last for more than ten years depending on what kind of food we are storing and how we store it.
Picking the Right Bag Thickness and Seal
Mylar bags don’t all perform the same and thickness and seal strength are the most important factors in long-term performance.
Bag Thickness
A thicker mil rating, usually 5 mil to 7 mil, will be more puncture resistant and will store and handle better. Thinner bags are fine for short term use, but are more likely to develop small tears that will allow air to re-enter.
Seal Type
- The most secure and airtight seal is a heat seal closure.
- Zipper-top mylar bags will allow multiple uses but will not seal as well with repeated use.
- Vacuum-sealed mylar is a combination of vacuum removal and barrier protection for maximum shelf life.
Are Custom Food Storage Bags Worth It for Small Producers?
Instead of plain unmarked bags, a small food producer can utilize Custom Food Storage Bags to brand, size and label the food. It is important for producers who sell directly to customers, as it allows the customers to trust the product based on the labeling, particularly if the buyer is meant to store food for emergency use and must be sure of what is inside.
Cuts are also custom-sized to minimize waste. A bag designed for the amount of food required will not have any extra air volume available and this will reduce the space for oxygen to accumulate within the tightly closed bag.
Mylar Bags vs Vacuum-Sealed Plastic: Which one is better?
Even standard plastic vacuum-sealed bags leak air over the course of months and years, but can remove it efficiently over short periods. The solution to this is the mylar barrier, which is found in Mylar Bags and which blocks that transfer nearly all the way, so that long-term food storage guides prefer mylar over plastic for anything that’s supposed to last longer than one or two years.
The difference is less important for short-term storage. When the barrier strength of mylar becomes the ultimate determinant, the five, ten or twenty years of emergency food supplies come to mind.
Kwick Packaging and Two Other US Manufacturers to Know
There are a few producers in the United States that specialize in producing mylar and flexible food packaging. IMPAK Corporation has been manufacturing mylar bags and pouches for decades with a long-term storage approach and specialties in food and industrial applications. With production sites in North America, Winpak produces a variety of flexible packaging films for use in the food, beverage and healthcare markets.
When done with a manufacturer who makes the bags themselves, it is likely that the quality of the seal will be more consistent and that there will be fewer delays if a product manufacturer requires a custom size or print run.
Simple Habits That Extend Shelf Life Even Further
- Take out all the air, if no vacuum sealer, Even if there is no vacuum sealer, get rid of as much air as possible before sealing!
- Determine the appropriate size oxygen absorber needed for the bag’s volume
- Keep closed bags out of heat and sunlight.
- Mark each bag with the pack date – use the oldest stock first.
No special equipment is required for any of these steps. They only need some attention when packing, because if the bag is not sealed properly, most of the protection that a mylar bag offers is lost.
Final Thoughts on Food Mylar Bags
When selecting a food storage bag, long-term storage is more of a science than a matter of looks. The principle is that food mylar bags prevent the following things from causing food to go bad: air, moisture, and light. It is more important to get the basics right the correct thickness, the proper seal and the right oxygen absorber than it is to have the correct brand printed on the outside.
If producers and households are prepared to store food on a serious scale, it is more likely that they will engage with a manufacturer that can provide mylar bags on a direct basis, thereby gaining more control over the food’s size and consistently obtaining good food seals. The same direct production system also allows for a much easier first-time correct custom order.
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