9 Amazing Benefits of Using Vacuum Sealing for Food Preservation

Whether you are a home chef or have a company that provides perishable products, an effective preservation system is essential. We live in a fast-paced world that requires the assistance of equipment to help preserve food well. Vacuum sealing has innovated the way food is preserved and spaces stay organized. This modern method removes air from containers such as vacuum seal bags and provides a tight seal that creates an airtight environment. It is an easy and economical way to extend the shelf life of products, save costs, reduce waste, stay organized and enjoy maximum freshness. Let’s dive into 9 amazing benefits of using vacuum sealing for food preservation!

#1 Preserve the Quality of Products

When food is vacuum sealed, it is able to retain its quality and freshness for longer. This method of preserving food allows the nutritional potency, flavor and texture to be retained. Whether it is dry goods or items that require freezing, vacuum sealing prevents the loss of nutrients, flavor and other qualities that are lost from exposure to air, moisture, light, and other factors. By vacuum sealing products, you’ll enjoy them at their peak of freshness whenever you’re ready to use them.

#2 Prevent Freezer Burn

You are probably familiar with the damage freezer burn can cause. Products become dull in color, their texture changes, the flavor is altered and ice crystals accumulate on the surface. It is a sad scenario to find that your frozen items didn’t survive well and are now unrecognizable. It is a common problem most of us have faced at one point or another. Fortunately, when you freeze items in a quality vacuum seal bag, you can avoid freezer burn and enjoy your well-preserved products. You have to keep in mind that not all vacuum seal bags are created equal. You must choose a vacuum seal bag that has a low Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) to protect your items from a process called sublimation.

#3 Save Money

A huge leading factor in more people using vacuum sealing for food preservation is the significant savings it represents. Cost savings is by far one of the most influential factors that drive people to use a vacuum sealing system. You are able to purchase fresh products in bulk and preserve them well for an extended shelf life. Purchasing bulk items that are usually less expensive becomes easier with the help of a vacuum sealer. You can enjoy saving money from bulk purchases, reduced food waste and a longer shelf life. Even restaurants find vacuum sealing helpful in allowing discounted purchases and bulk repackaging. You don’t have to worry about expensive trips to the grocery store or trashing products that spoil early.

#4 Save Time

Some people say that time is gold! Time is a precious resource we like to protect and what better way than to save time in the kitchen? A vacuum sealing system is a big time-saver in many ways. It allows you to prepare food in advance and have it ready when you’re ready to eat. You can cook large batches of food and package it in individual portions for easy meals anytime. This is a game-changer for families with kids, but also for individuals and some businesses. Vacuum sealing also saves time for those who require a special diet with portion control or anyone who simply wants to streamline food preparation. Imagine the time you’ll save vacuum sealing food for you and your family - of course, including your pets! Plus, extending the shelf life of your products means fewer trips to the grocery store.

#5 Become More Organized

Staying organized in the kitchen can be challenging. We can all relate to cluttered spaces in our freezers and pantries. When you include vacuum sealing in your life, you’ll notice how everything becomes more organized. Even camping trips and traveling become easier and more enjoyable. Vacuum seal bags are compact and make organizing and labeling a breeze. This makes cooking and meal prep much more convenient. It makes it easy to find the products you are looking for and reduces the stress of meal planning.

#6 Protection Against Contaminants

When products are vacuum sealed, they are protected in an airtight environment that doesn’t allow pests and other contaminants to enter. In addition, removing excess air from a vacuum seal bag prevents the growth of mold and bacteria that spoil food. This is particularly important for perishable items such as fresh vegetables, meats, dairy products and seafood. With vacuum sealing technology, you can relax knowing that your food is safe.

#7 Experiment with Various Techniques

Vacuum sealing opens up a whole new world of food processing in a convenient way. You can practice techniques such as sous vide cooking, fermentation, marination and many other culinary processes. Some of these methods such as fermentation increase the nutritional value of foods. Other methods such as sous vide cooking provide more retention of flavors and nutrients. You’ll be able to elevate your culinary results to a restaurant-quality level.

#8 Preservation Beyond Food

You can take effective preservation beyond the kitchen. Vacuum sealing protects non-perishable items such as electronics, documents, collectibles, clothing, auto parts and many other items. Your items will be less likely to get damaged from rust, light, moisture and various other environmental factors. Think of the endless ways you can use a vacuum sealer to protect items and stay organized in and outside the home. Camping trips are completely transformed because you’ll not only vacuum seal food, but also supplies, emergency items and various types of equipment that need protection.

#9 Live an Eco-Friendly Life

Even though vacuum seal bags are made from plastic, they help reduce your carbon footprint significantly. By purchasing in bulk, you reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Food production, transportation, and waste management all have an environmental impact. Vacuum seal bags are reusable and recyclable, making them a great companion in your eco-friendly journey.

Conclusion

As you can see, vacuum sealing provides important benefits that can help you live a better life. It is a powerful technique that transforms the way you shop for food as well as preserves it. Your life will become more organized, healthier and efficient. Additionally, you’ll save time and money while enjoying more flavor and freshness. Vacuum sealing is a versatile way to elevate your food processing and preservation routine. It can also be a fun tool that allows you to explore your creativity in home and commercial spaces. GardaPack is committed to innovating the best vacuum seal bags on the market along with commercial-grade sealers that allow you to transform the way you preserve products. Browse our online shop or find our products at a retailer near you!

Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR): Why it is the Best Indicator of a Quality Vacuum Seal Bag

When shopping for vacuum seal bags, it is easy to pay attention to only the thickness and the brand’s reputation. The flexible packaging industry is filled with marketing campaigns that focus on the thickness of the plastic rather than its material functional properties. What truly makes a bag effective is the type and quantity of material used in its manufacturing. The material must be tested by third-party labs to determine how it will perform on the field. The Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) value is one of the most important factors to consider. It tells you how effective the bag is in blocking oxygen. A bag is TRULY airtight when the OTR is as low as possible. Do you see why thickness doesn’t necessarily mean protection against the damaging effects of the elements? Since oxygen is the number one culprit of product degradation next to UV light, it is important to determine the vacuum seal bag’s OTR value. Besides oxygen and UV light, you must also ensure perishables remain free from moisture imbalances. Therefore, learning about the Moisture/Water Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR/WVTR) of the bag material is also important. However, this article will focus on the importance of OTR. Read more to learn all about OTR and why it helps to protect your precious products!

What is Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)?

In relation to vacuum seal bags, the definition of Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) is the steady rate at which oxygen gas is able to permeate through the material at a certain temperature and relative humidity in a given period. OTR values are expressed in cc/m²/24 hr in metric (or SI) units and in cc/100 in²/24 hr in US standard units. When measuring a material’s OTR, the standard test conditions are 73°F (23°C) and 0% RH (relative humidity). In simple terms, OTR values measure how much oxygen can pass through the bag’s material over time. The lower the OTR, the more effective the bag is at keeping oxygen out. By keeping oxygen out, products will experience less oxidation and will have a longer shelf life. Additionally, products will retain the most flavor, nutrient potency and overall quality.

How to Check Your Bag’s OTR?

Currently, there isn’t a way consumers can check the bag’s OTR on their own. It requires the assistance of a licensed laboratory that tests materials using scientific standards with specialized equipment. When shopping for vacuum seal bags, you should look for brands that have taken their materials through laboratory testing and provide the OTR values of their materials. The lab tests should be obtained from third-party laboratories that provide unbiased results. It is also important to note that the OTR values should represent the average of both sides of the bags instead of just one side. Some companies report the best OTR value of one side of the bag, not the average of both sides. The bottom line is to choose brands that are transparent about the materials they use and the type of laboratory testing that is performed on their products. Trusted brands provide OTR values of their materials in an easy-to-understand format.

Why a Low OTR Value Matters in Product Preservation

When you use a vacuum seal bag with a low OTR value, you ensure that you’ll preserve your products effectively. This is especially crucial for perishable products such as food, medications, and other perishable items. These are some of the reasons why low OTR values are key in protecting the quality of your products:

1. Maintains the Best Quality of Products: Oxidation occurs from exposure to oxygen, which leads to the degradation of products. Think of the airtight characteristic of glass jars. Using a vacuum seal bag with low OTR values helps products retain their original flavor, nutritional potency and texture. This is important for the end user as well as companies that produce products to sell to their consumers. You can hide things from UV light, but oxygen is everywhere.
2. Extends Shelf Life: Oxygen oxidizes the compounds or components of products such as oils and fats. Oxidation causes products to become rancid, lose their nutritional value and spoil early. By choosing a bag with low OTR values, oxygen penetration is minimized and shelf life is extended. It is an effective way to reduce costs, save time and become more sustainable.
3. Prevents Growth of Microorganisms: Various microorganisms need oxygen to grow. By using a bag with low OTR values, you can reduce the chances of contamination and the dangerous growth of bacteria.
4. Ensure Regulatory Standards: Using quality packaging is key for businesses that produce perishable products that require consumer standards to be met. Food and pharmaceutical producers are examples of industries that rely on quality packing to ensure their products reach their customers in the best conditions.
5. Consumer Satisfaction: Whether you are the end-user or manage a company that provides products to consumers, a bag with low OTR values ensures satisfaction. Consistently achieving the most freshness is key to enjoying the quality of products. It creates brand loyalty for companies that care about providing customers with quality materials that have excellent OTR performance.

As you can see, it is worth paying attention to the OTR values of the bag materials you choose. It becomes easy to do when you choose a brand that provides this information and is dedicated to using the best bag construction methods in the industry.

GardaPack Provides Accessible Premium Quality You Can Trust

GardaPack vacuum seal bags are built to withstand tough conditions and provide the best OTR values on the market, as supported by third-party lab tests by LabThink International. Our commercial-grade bags are made from high-quality proprietary materials to ensure they provide the ultimate protection against air, moisture, and punctures, ensuring your products stay well-preserved until they are ready to use. Our vacuum seal bags are compatible with most vacuum sealing machines. It makes packaging and preserving quick and hassle-free. Whether you're a commercial food producer or a home user, you’ll find our vacuum sealing system easy to use with commercial-grade performance. See the chart below to see how our bags compare to leading brands on the market: Do it better with GardaPack, accessible premium quality! Shop our online shop or find retailers near you.