Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Are you looking for a way to extend the freshness of food? The answer to this is vacuum packing. It is a safe, fast and cheap way to store food products. Products stored in this way will maintain their properties for up to 3 to 5 times longer. You can vacuum pack at your own home, there are easily available devices that will help you with this. Such storage will block the access of any microorganisms. It will keep food fresh, tasty and aroma for many months.
Vacuum packing device
The cost of such a device depends on the manufacturer and the exact specification, prices start from PLN 300. Targeted devices will be a good choice a vacuum pumpwhich will thoroughly remove all air from the package. Thick foil is also important, it will be the most durable. Such an expense may deter you, but it definitely pays off if you take into account the cost of throwing away food. Unfortunately, due to the increasing pollution of the environment, this type of food storage should be approached with moderation, due to the foil we use.
Vacuum-packed food storage
Properly performed vacuum packaging completely deprives access to air. Additionally, packed items should be stored at an appropriate temperature. Vacuum packing does not replace a refrigerator. Products that we usually store in it, even vacuum-packed, should still be stored in it. It should be remembered that the foil will not protect the products from the sun’s rays, we still have to store them in shaded places.
Check: 8 bugs where food in your fridge goes bad too quickly
How will vacuum packaging protect our food?
This type of food storage extends significantly period of freshness of food products. Dry foods won’t get wet, and wet foods won’t dry out. The fat in the products will not go rancid because air is needed for this process. Bacteria, fungi and insects will not get inside. The vegetables will retain their flavor and color, even when packaged after cooking. Ready-made delicacies will retain all their nutrients, appearance and taste.
Vacuum packing – expiry date of products
Like all products, even those stored in a vacuum have a specific consumable. We can store bread and cakes as well as raw poultry for about a week. Fruit, cooked vegetables or ready meals – up to two weeks. Raw vegetables for up to 20 days. We store frozen products in this way for up to 2 years, of course in the freezer.
Comparison of the shelf life of food products
Let’s follow how much we can extend the freshness period of food thanks to vacuum packaging. Bread at room temperature will be usable for 2 to 3 days, while vacuum packing will extend this time to 8 days. Poultry will be good for consumption for 2 days, while packed – up to 9. We can store cheese in this way for up to 60 days, and raw vegetables for 5 days instead of 20 days. Fresh fruit will last up to 25 days, and soup – 12. Frozen fish and poultry will extend their shelf life from 6 months to 26.
Also read:
- Which products can be frozen?
- How to store food in the refrigerator – general rules
- Food freeze drying – history, advantages and disadvantages