Will a vacuum help extend the life of food?

More recently, it seemed that vacuum packaging of products was a purely specialized procedure, and it was impossible to do it at home. But technology does not stand still, and now no one will be surprised by portable vacuum sealers, which are designed to facilitate and optimize food storage at home.

Safety

Is it safe to store food and preparations in vacuum packaging? There are no clear answers to this question. The vacuum definitely inhibits the oxidation of many food products, which allows them to remain fresh and healthy longer. However, it is only able to stop the proliferation of microorganisms, including mold and fungi, that require air. But there are a huge number of bacteria that do not need air at all. And they will calmly reproduce even after pumping out the air. Not to mention, not many baggers are able to completely remove air from a bag or container.

What makes sense to vacuum

Ready-made products are best stored in vacuum packaging:

1. Smoked sausages (up to a year in the refrigerator).
2. Smoked and dried meat (more than 6 months in the refrigerator).
3. Hard cheese (up to 50 days in the refrigerator).
4. Cookies (up to 200-300 days).
5. Coffee (up to a year at room temperature).
6. Tea (up to a year at room temperature).
7. Nuts (100-150 days at room temperature).

You don’t have to worry about these products: they will only be better without air, and the growth of bacteria in them is minimal.

Do not pack without air

The same cannot be said for fresh produce, which is most vulnerable to anaerobic bacteria. It makes no sense to vacuum:

• any types of fresh meat (up to 6 days in the refrigerator);
• milk and dairy products (10-15 days in the refrigerator);
• cheese (hard - up to 50 days, soft - up to 15 days in the refrigerator).

Vacuum packaging extends their shelf life slightly. The likelihood that food will spoil and become dangerous remains high, since anaerobic bacteria are contained in them and not only will not stop multiplying, but will also find vacuum conditions most favorable.

There are also types of products that should not be placed in a vacuum at all. For example, citrus fruits. Scientific research shows that it is more beneficial for such fruits to remain in contact with air, and they deteriorate quite slowly in the refrigerator.

Advantages of vacuum

It should be noted that the use of vacuum sealers before freezing can significantly extend the shelf life of many products, from 12 to 36 months. But it is worth remembering that with such heat treatment, one way or another, the structure of the products is damaged. Although significantly less than without a vacuum.

Vacuum packaging has another undoubted advantage - it is convenient to take with you, and the food inside will last for quite a long time even at room temperature. If you prepare it a day in advance, then even anaerobic bacteria will not have time to multiply, and the food will remain completely safe. You can easily throw it in your bag and take it out throughout the day.

Resource purity-en.htgetrid.com recommends purchasing a vacuum packaging machine exclusively for freezing and to provide yourself and your loved ones with food on the road.In all other cases, it cannot be said that products will be healthier and safer in a vacuum. And the advertised savings may not be relevant at all, if you remember that you will constantly have to buy additional consumables. Here everyone decides for themselves.