Foods to Package in Mylar Bags | Mylar Food Storage

Mylar Bags for Long-Term
Food Storage: A Guide

Ever noticed that “space food” and camping/hiking “survivalist” type foods are often packaged in shiny mylar packaging instead of plastic bags? Well, it isn’t because it looks futuristic -- it’s because mylar packaging is accessible and is simply the best packaging and long-term storage method for sundries and dry foods like rice, beans, and flour. In fact, some foods packaged in mylar can last for up to 30 years, and others can even be kept indefinitely!

long term food storage guide Foods To Package in Mylar

In this guide, we’ll discuss why mylar packaging is ideal for long term food storage, what types of food can be packaged and stored in custom mylar bags, which foods should NOT be stored in mylar, and how to select the mylar packaging that’s right for your meal. Learn more about how to store food in mylar.

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Using Mylar to Store Food

Mylar packaging is made from several layers of laminated food-grade plastic and aluminum. The fact that there are multiple layers means that the food inside is protected from exposure to oxygen and the elements. They’re ideal for long-term food storage for a few reasons. First, they are very strong and can resist punctures, rips, and tears, at least to a degree. Second, the material is flexible, meaning you can store foods of many shapes and sizes in mylar. And finally, it has built-in barrier properties. As mentioned above, this means the food inside is protected from light and air.

If purchased from a company like CarePac, mylar bags are also an economical choice to store food, as you can purchase them in bulk and save money. But, you also aren’t tied to large quantities with CarePac, as we’re proud to offer low MOQs for small companies or product runs.

Advantages and disadvantages of storing food in a mylar bag

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As you can see, a sealing mylar bag is best for dry food storage, such as nuts, crackers, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, and sundries, like flour and rice. We’ll discuss which foods can be stored in a mylar bag (and for generally how long) in the next section.

Which foods can be stored in mylar bags?

Dry, low-fat foods can be stored in mylar food bags long-term. Any food with moisture content may start to go bad in mylar bag storage, and there is a risk of botulism if food is packaged and stored incorrectly. All food should be stored with an oxygen absorber, and only foods with 10% or less moisture content can be packaged in mylar bags with an oxygen absorber.

Here is just a small sampling of the types of food that can be stored in mylar food bags long-term with an oxygen absorber and how long you can expect them to last:

Common Mylar Bag Food Storage Times
Less than 1 year:	Nut Chip Chocolate and candy Brown rice
1-3 years:	Dehydrated meat Dry biscuits Crackers Roasted coffee beans (if placed in the freezer)
3-5 years:	Baby formula and powdered milk Cornmeal Ground herbs Sprouting seeds Unroasted coffee beans
5-10 years:	Granola Herbs (whole) Quinoa Peanut butter powder Powdered egg Unbleached flour Wheat flakes
10-20 years:	Black-eyed peas Buckwheat Powdered butter/margarine Chickpeas Cocoa powder Flax White flour
20-30 years:	Instant coffee Freeze-dried fruit and veggies Lentils Lima beans Noodles and pasta Rolled oats Tea (bags or loose) White rice
Indefinitely:	Baking soda Baking powder Honey Salt Sugar

Please note: the list above is a generalization, and assumes that the food was initially preserved, packaged, and stored correctly. If the bag is bulging, this is a sign that bacteria is growing inside, and the bag should be thrown away
immediately.

Which Foods CANNOT Be Stored In Mylar Bags?

Due to their moisture content and the risk of botulism, any foods with more than 10% moisture content cannot be stored in sealing mylar bags and should be stored in another type of bag, like plastic bags. Fruits and vegetables must be dehydrated before storing, and meats, nuts, and legumes will go rancid regardless of how they’re prepped or stored.

Mylar bags for food storage: FAQs

Here are some common questions we receive about packaging foods in mylar bags for long-term storage:

Q. How long will foods last in mylar bags?

If prepped and stored correctly, some foods can last up to 30 years in mylar bags. Foods like coffee beans and brown rice can last 1-3 years, while items like baking soda/powder and salt can last indefinitely in mylar bags.

Q: How long will pasta last in mylar bags?

On average, noodles and pasta can last 20-30 years in mylar bags.

Q: Which foods cannot be stored in mylar bags?

Anything with moisture content that exceeds 10% cannot be stored in mylar bags. This includes fruits and vegetables, meats, nuts, and legumes.

Q: What foods are best stored in mylar?

Dried foods (10% or less moisture content) are best stored in mylar bags. This includes rice, flour, pasta, granola, beans, rolled oats, coffee, and tea.

Purchase food storage mylar bags at CarePac

So, interested in long-term food storage bags but aren’t sure where to start? CarePac has you covered with our wide selection of mylar food bags. Shop our selection today! If you plan on customizing your bags, we’ve got you covered there, too. We can add custom colors, labels, tear notches, or anything else you’d like to add to your bags. Get an Instant Quote now to get started.

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