How we store food is essential. Everyone’s trying to get the best bang for their buck – why get a week out of that expensive granola from the farmer’s market when a month would be more attractive to customers? We learned during the pandemic that a little goes a long way because who doesn’t remember supply chain issues? And if you’re like us, being ahead of the curve or having your cabinets stocked for a rainy day is never bad.
Some companies love paper bags, a small segment even offer those big plastic contractors’ buckets like you find at the hardware store. A literal bucket load of beef jerky might be a little extreme, but there are people who want something to snack on in the middle of the night, and never have run out.
If you’re in the business of selling anything food-related, you’re going to need some mylar bags. While the bucket idea works for a certain kind of person, we’re more apt to suggest a storage method that doesn’t require space in your garage, but more like the average kitchen pantry.
The thing about mylar bags is that they’re cost-effective and they get the job done. The options for usage are plentiful and they come small enough to store nuts and bolts at the hardware store, to big enough to hold pounds of rice, all while keeping fresh over the long haul.
Mylar keeps coffee longer, keeps nuts fresher, and can even store powders for your quick fix iced tea or lemonade. Mylar is food-grade safe and is less permeable to gasses, and it protects from moisture and gas – especially oxygen. Some foods can last as long as twenty-five years using Mylar bags, but we don’t suggest any amount of time over five.
For any business, adequate packaging is critical for long-term storage success. One of the most effective ways to store food is using Mylar bags, and Mylar has become the go-to for most companies looking to show off their products with a flair for the fancy yet utilitarian.
Mylar is crafted from layers of laminated food-grade plastic and aluminum. The food doesn’t interact with the aluminum because a food-safe lining separates it. This combo of layers establishes a barrier guarding light, moisture, and oxygen against whatever’s in the bag. Businesses love Mylar because it’s strong and it’s flexible.
Mylar is used for everything from equipment labels, solar filters, emergency blankets, and space blankets for food storage.
Mylar was created in the 1950s by DuPont by vaporizing aluminum inside a vacuum chamber and then bonded to a polyester sheet. Then they roll it one way and then another and another, and now, you’ve got a dual-layer bag that retains heat or cold if you’re freezing a product, all while keeping oxygen out.
Mylar is durable but flexible, the film resists acids, moisture, and oils. The US Library of Congress uses Mylar to preserve its records.
Mylar is quality because:
Mylar bags are also puncture resistant thanks to Mylar being a rigid, strong material that provides greater resistance against holes from mishandling.
So, what are some of the best foods to store in Mylar bags? Customers have asked us about this topic more than once, so we compiled a list of some of the best food for long-term storage in Mylar bags.
There is a list of foods to store in Mylar bags, but a few things excel due to low moisture. There are some less apparent selections out there. What’s important is that anything stored in Mylar is dry, and you include an oxygen absorber because the more moisture and fat a food has, the less time it can sit on the shelf. That oxygen absorber will keep in the inside of the bag’s integrity while keeping the product fresh and edible.
Because of their moisture content, things like nuts or brown rice can only be kept for a year, while beef jerky or crackers can last up to three years. (If roasted coffee beans are kept in the freezer, their shelf life extends, too.) Unless dehydrated, nuts, meat, or beans will go rancid fast. This is one of those metrics you want to pay attention to, otherwise risk some very unhappy customers.
But, there are obvious choices for Mylar storage due to their low moisture content. And for anyone selling high quality food products like heritage long grain rice or local honeycomb, the storage type matters. From our research, here is a list of foods and their approximate storage times in Mylar bags:
There are plenty of different strategies for food storage in mylar bags because they’re such a safe bet. Food storage is a delicate process, so you risk an entire stockpile going to waste without the proper methods.
First, make sure you’re invested in using quality mylar bags. Some bags aren’t designed to be “food safe,” so always talk to your salesperson about what the intended use for the bags is.
Thickness also matters; the thicker, the better, depending on how long you want the product to be stored.
Dry foods are typically the best option. Mylar bags help keep integrity because when storing dry goods, they eradicate chances of spoiling, but it’s important to store things with these critical elements:
The most common way mylar bags are closed is by vacuum sealing them, so no oxygen or moisture can contaminate the contents. Some customers own a vacuum sealer, and others work with a co-packer. While working with a co-packer makes the most sense for those doing bigger bulk orders, those who choose to seal their contents at home must ensure they’re keeping out moisture and any additional items from entering the mylar bag. Adding an oxygen absorber is always an easy way to keep goods fresh.
A mylar bag should always be kept in a stable environment that is as clean, safe, and stable as possible.
If you’re a company of any size looking to package your top-secret honey granola recipe, roasted coffee beans, or artisanal peanut powder, let’s talk. Mylar bags are a great way to store food from the farmer’s market or on the shelf at a big box store. Plus, thanks to our digital printing capabilities, they’re customizable to fit your brand’s vision. Whatever your goals are for your product, there’s a packaging solution waiting for you, and ePac can help see that dream become a reality.
Drop us a line, and we’ll show you some packaging samples that have lifted small businesses into a new world.
Mylar-style bags are highly desirable in the food, herb and supplement space because of their strength, durability and ability to protect their contents from the outside environment.
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