How Long Vacuum Sealed Food Lasts?

Vacuum sealing is one way to prolong food shelf-life and preserve its quality. But how long does vacuum-sealed food lasts?

Vacuum sealing is one method of preserving food. It keeps the food fresh and safe to eat. Likewise, it reduces raw material wastage, allowing you to save money from buying produce and meat products often.

How is Vacuum Sealing Preserves Food?

Incorrect food storage significantly reduces the shelf-life of fresh products. It exposes the food to bacterial contamination, which is the primary cause of spoilage. Examples of bacteria that cause food damage and contamination are E.coli, Salmonella Sp., anaerobic bacteria, and spoilage bacteria. Some of these microorganisms are dangerous to health. These include E.coli and Salmonella Sp., which both cause foodborne illnesses, infections, and poisoning.

Vacuum sealing is the best way of storing food. It protects fresh products from oxidation and contamination from spoilage bacteria. Also, oxygen is one of the primary factors that cause spoilage. Moreover, exposure to oxygen results in oxidation, causing strong undesirable odors and flavors on the food.

Additionally, poor storage triggers and hastens bacterial growth. Fungi, yeasts, and fungi can grow on the food’s surface. Moreover, oxidation also helps in the growth of these organisms. Vacuum sealing inhibits bacterial growth on the food surface, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and food poisoning.

Vacuum sealing also reduces enzyme reaction, which is another spoilage factor. Fresh foods contain natural enzymes. When these enzymes interact with air, a chemical reaction occurs, accelerating food spoilage. Thus, keeping food in an air-tight bag prevents its interaction and exposure to air.

What is the Self-Life of Vacuum Sealed Food?

Each type of food has a different lifespan when vacuum sealed. Here are the different types of food and their corresponding shelf-life when vacuum sealed.

• Fresh Food

Fresh products last for about a week or two, depending on the maturity of the food; and when chilled, fresh products can last up to two weeks at most.

Vacuum sealing significantly improves the shelf-life of fresh food. It doubles the standard lifespan of raw products. Thus, a fresh product can last up to a month when vacuum sealed.

• Frozen Food

Meat products, poultry, and seafood are considered frozen foods. The self-life of frozen food is six months when preserved properly through freezing. But when vacuum sealed, frozen foods can last up to a year and more.

• Leftover Foods

Cooked foods can last up to a day or two, depending on the manner of cooking and type of food. Keeping cooked food refrigerated prevents spoilage.

But if you want to make it last longer for about a week, vacuum-sealing cooked foods will do the job.

Indeed, vacuum sealing has many benefits in terms of food preservation and safety. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer at home, now is the right time to get one. You can check out the latest vacuum sealer reviews to find out the best vacuum sealers today.

Vacuum sealers can keep your precious ingredients fresh and safe for consumption. With this, you can save more money, limit food wastage, and enjoy your food more than before.