Have you ever stopped to think about food storage packaging? I wouldn’t think so, I mean who really has time to think about food storage containers? I’m in the same boat but it might surprise you how many differences there really are in the ways food storage companies package their freeze dried food. Emergency food storage is all the rage and as people rush to buy what they can, there are some key differentiators out there in the way food storage is packaged that need to be considered.. The two main types of packaging for long term food storage are the #10 cans or Mylar pouches. Let’s examine each in more detail.
#10 Cans – This has been a go to packaging for emergency food storage. All sorts of food has been packaged for long term food storage in #10 Cans. More commonly today, companies are packaging freeze dried and dehydrated food in this type of container. Some of the advantages of the #10 can include:
- Rigid Form Factor – the rigid form factor protects the food from damage and helps it stay fresh when prepared and sealed properly for long periods of time.
Disadvantages:
- Stack ability – One disadvantage to the #10 can is the stackability of the product. It doesn’t stack very high without starting to get out of balance and in the end the cans tipping over.
- Portability – In an emergency or if you just want to use some of the food for a quick meal or camping, the #10 Can isn’t nearly as portable as its pouch alternative. It’s difficult to pack a #10 can in a back pack, take my word on this.
- Portion Size – The portions are usually larger in the can and once it’s opened there is no way to reseal it. So the food would have to be consumed once the can is open. Lastly, it’s much harder to move a number of #10 cans, so portability becomes a factor.
Mylar Pouches – Food Storage containers like the mylar nitrogen flushed pouch is a new way of packaging. Some of the food storage companies have introduced this method in the past few years. Some of the advantages of the Mylar pouches include:
- Stack-ability and Weight – The Mylar pouch is a lighter, easier to include inside a more stackable container in with a more rugged, more stackable bucket and there is
- Easy to Open and Oxygen – You don’t even need a pocket knife to open these up, just use your hands. Also. The pouches are nitrogen flushed removing the oxygen when packaged an eliminated those annoying oxygen absorbers.
- Reasonable Portion Sizes– The other advantage is these mylar pouches allow meals to be prepared in more useable quantities. So that once they are opened, the amount of food is right for a normal meal and nothing goes to waste.
- Extreme Portability – They also work really well to throw into a back back and head up into the woods with.
Disadvantages:
- Strength of Packaging – The Mylar pouch is more susceptible to damage if it’s not stored in a more rigid protective container like a bucket. So generally when you see this type of packaging, they are generally in a more rigid bucket. The bucket can be an advantage as it can create a very stackable product. The bucket food storage containers have tongue and groove systems allowing for maximum stack ability.
Overall the Mylar pouch is the best packaging choice for the long term storage of food. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages and long term, it appears like the trend in the industry is to move to these Mylar pouches.
by Chris Haven