One question we frequently hear is: what are the best Mylar bags for food storage?
The best Mylar bags are typically thick, food safe, and capable of creating a reliable airtight seal. Bags around 5 mil to 10 mil thickness with a strong metallized barrier layer are widely considered the most effective option for storing dry foods long term.
Mylar bags are the most commonly used bags to store food. They are effective because they limit the movement of oxygen, light, and moisture into your food. All three contribute to spoilage.
Understanding the factors that contribute to a Mylar bag's effectiveness will help you make an informed decision on how to select the best Mylar bag for food storage.
Most Effective Types of Mylar Bags Used for Food Storage
There are many types of Mylar bags that you can use for food storage depending on what or how you want to store something and each will perform differently based on your situation.
Thick Metallized Mylar Bags (5 - 10 mils thick)
The most traditional type of Mylar bag for long term storage of food are metallized Mylar bags that are made from thick products (usually 5-10 mils). They provide the best durability and provide the least amount of oxygen transmission, so they will have the best protection of your food over a long period than a thinner bag.
Some examples of typical uses of thick metallized Mylar bags include older emergency foods, dry bulk storage (such as flour, sugar, rice), and long term storage of dry foods.
Stand-Up Mylar Pouches
Another great way to store food in your pantry is by using stand-up pouches. They have the benefits of both barrier protection and convenience, providing a solid way to organize your pantry.
Stand-up pouches are a popular way for many food manufacturers to protect their food products throughout the manufacturing process and for everyday use.
Large Capacity Mylar Bags
Large-capacity Mylar bags are a great way to package and store many dried foods as one complete unit; examples of larger dry foods packaged in large capacity Mylar include those stored in a preparedness kit, for someone preparing for emergencies.
Essential Properties of Mylar Food Storage Bags
The most effective type of Mylar bags for food storage needs to have certain characteristics to provide the best in durability and increase the shelf life of the food product within them.
1. Thickness
The Mylar that is used for basis of your bag (generally at least 5 mls thick) is the most durable and puncture-resistant materials available d will provide the best protection and be the best barrier against moisture for your food items stored within the bag.
Most thinner Mylar bags will continue to hold their contents for an extended period of time; however, the reliability of these bags decreases over time, compared to thicker thickness Mylar bags.
2. Good Oxygen Barrier
Mylar bags have a light-blocking outer metallic coating to prevent the transmission of light, as well as an inner foil-like layer restricting the transmission of oxygen into the bag. Oxidation is one of the main elements responsible for the degradation of packaged foods; therefore, when you are selecting your Mylar bag, you should pay particular attention to the best oxidation properties of the bag, and therefore assure that your products are maintained during the time period when they are being stored until consumed.
3. Heat Sealable
Heat sealing the bag is the most critical component to maintaining the air-less seal of the Mylar bag while keeping the air outside the interior of the Mylar bag. The typical way to heat seal a Mylar bag is to use either a heat sealer, household iron, or impulse sealer.
4. Food Safe Materials
All food storage bags should be made from food grade materials; therefore, when you are looking for bags that you can use, you should consider bags that can come in direct contact with food items.
Brandmydispo's 10 Mil Thick Mylar Bags
Brandmydispo manufactures Mylar bags designed for food packaging and barrier protection. In experience, high quality multilayer Mylar bags like the ones produced by the company are some of the best options for food storage, especially when they are thick, heat sealed properly, and used with oxygen absorbers. The Brandmydispo bags are made 10 mil thick and perfect for long-term food storage.
Examples of Foods That Store Well in Mylar Bags
Store foods in Mylar bags made for long term storage using oxygen absorbers, and the right sealing techniques will provide extended shelf life. Mylar bags are best used in your pantry for storage of dried food products low in moisture.
Other examples of dry goods suitable for storage in Mylar bags include:
- rice
- beans
- flour
- oats
- cornmeal
- dehydrated vegetables
- powdered foods
When bagged with oxygen absorbers and appropriately sealed, many types of dried food will remain shelf-stable indefinitely.
Examples High Quality Mylar Bags
High quality, high barrier quality, and food grade Mylar bags are produced by multiple packaging vendors for the long term storing of food. Brandmydispo has manufactured millions of multi-layered metallized pouches for dozens of clients in the packaging industry where their products meet the common specifications related with regard to thickness, barrier properties, and heat seal integrity.
High-quality Mylar bags are widely used for food packaging due to their ability to provide the longest shelf-life and protect.
Why So Many Brands Choose Custom Food Mylar Bags
Food brands are using custom food Mylar bags since they provide both durability and professional presentation for their products. Custom food mylar bags allow products to air, or enter from the atmosphere offering oxygen with no moisture or light to spoil packaged food. Numerous companies use multi-layered bag material with broad side seals around the pouch so that the brand and product stand out and can attract potential consumers online and physically in a grocery store.
Moreover, Mylar bags printed with logos, product information, and a unique design, make the packaging of the product easily identifiable allowing for a point of sale and/or to draw attention away from competitors’ products. The dual-function characteristics of Mylar bags as both providing barrier protection against moisture and air and a way to display their brand are two main drivers to the preference of food companies to use Mylar bags for packaging their dry foods. View custom food mylar bag examples.
So, What are the Best Mylar Bags for Food Storage?
The best Mylar bags for food storage are thick, multilayer metallized bags that can be heat sealed and are made from food safe materials. Bags around 5 to 10 mil thickness are often recommended because they provide stronger barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and light while also being more resistant to punctures.
Mylar manufacturers such as Brandmydispo produce high barrier Mylar pouches designed with these same characteristics, including multilayer films and reliable heat sealing capability. Packaging with these features is widely used across the food industry because it helps protect dry foods while maintaining freshness during storage.
Conclusion
For the best food storage applications, when used to protect food, the thick metallized Mylar bags will give you the best performance in maintaining their shape while giving the greatest amount of barrier protection. The most effective bags will be made from (5) mil or thicker food safe Mylar and will be used to store dry foods. Proper use of sealing methods combined with the use of oxygen absorbers will allow Mylar bags to protect dry foods from oxygen, moisture, and light preserving dry foods for an extended shelf-life.
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