Vacuum food bags continue to be popular with items such as meat, fish, game, etc. Food Saver machines and similar ones like Seal-a-Meal remain a staple in many homes throughout the country. With that in mind the need for individual vacuum bags is growing. However, these home style vacuum machines are different than institutional ones in that they are non-chamber and clamp type so they need very specific types of bags.
The best vacuum food bags in these situations are those that have an embossed or raised side of the pouch itself. To be clear, the bag is a flat pouch and one side is made from vacuum friendly smooth film and the other is an embossed or texturized side which enables the pulling of the vacuum and removal of the oxygen from the inside of the bag. Oxygen is what negatively impacts the contents and must be removed to keep the contents fresher for longer.
The key ingredient in this case is nylon. You will almost always find nylon in any type of protective packaging that will need to hold a vacuum because it is so robust and sturdy. Another thing to keep in mind is it’s not necessarily just the nylon in the film or even the thickness but the other layers play a huge part as well. Each layer performs specific duties such as puncture resistance and heat seal-ability. The films’ ability to stretch, known as extensibility, allows it to conform to unique shapes which is often the case when vacuum packaging meat, fish, nuts, dried fruit, or even beef jerky.
Here are some other key points to consider when looking for the best vacuum bags for food.
Ask yourself…
- Will they work with Food Saver and Seal-a-Meal style counter-top vacuum sealers?
- What are the pouches made from and is there nylon in the structure?
- Are they BPA free and made from dry lamination instead of solvent based?
- Are they microwavable, boilable, and puncture resistant?
- Is your supplier using FDA food grade material and can certify that fact?
- Does your supplier offer vacuum bags for food in a number of different stock sizes? Some common sizes are
- 6 x 12
- 8 x 10
- 8 x 12
- 10 x 14
- 12 x 16
- 15 x 18
- Can your supplier custom make sizes and even colors if needed as some companies distinguish different products using different colors?
Some advantages you can look for from the right vacuum bags for food are:
- Extend the shelf life of the product being packaged
- Protect the flavors and texture as it was intended
- Helps the marinating process
- Reduces freezer burn
In closing, very often smaller companies and home users find buying stock vacuum bags the answer for their particular needs. However, many companies soon realize they need special sizes and even custom printing. With the right supplier, custom printed vacuum bags is a natural next step…as always, trust your packaging professional for help and guidance. Remember, it’s your product, package it properly.
