Using Vacuum Sealing Machines for Food

Effective preservation solutions are essential as global food supply chains extend and consumer preferences shift towards foods with longer shelf lives. These not only help reduce food waste by prolonging the usability of products but also play a vital role in maintaining nutritional quality and ensuring food safety.

Vacuum sealing and oxygen absorbers can extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of perishable goods. Vacuum sealing involves removing air from a package before it is sealed. This process significantly reduces the oxygen content inside the packaging. Oxygen absorbers are further enhanced by chemically removing residual oxygen inside the sealed package.

Understanding Vacuum Sealing

Vacuum sealing is a preservation method that involves extracting air from a package prior to sealing. This process primarily targets the removal of oxygen, which is critical because oxygen supports the metabolic processes of aerobic microorganisms and oxidation reactions that degrade food products.

The principle behind vacuum sealing is to create an environment that slows microbial growth and oxidative spoilage, thus extending the shelf life of the packaged contents. Vacuum sealers can be categorized into several types based on their design and the scale of their operation:

• External Vacuum Sealers: Ideal for home use or small-scale settings, these sealers have the bag placed outside the machine. They remove air from the bag by clamping around the open end and sucking out the air before sealing the bag.
• Chamber Vacuum Sealers: These are used primarily in commercial environments. They involve placing the entire bag within the machine. Once the lid is closed, the machine removes all air from the chamber, including that within the bag, and then seals the bag. This type is more effective for sealing liquids or wet foods because the air pressure inside and outside the bag remains equal.
• Nozzle Vacuum Sealers: These are equipped with a retractable nozzle that can be inserted into the bag. They provide greater control over the vacuuming process and are typically used in industrial applications.
• Continuous Band Sealers: These sealers use a conveyor belt to continuously seal bags for high-volume packaging. They are capable of handling various bag sizes and are commonly used in the food processing industry

Benefits of Food Preservation

Vacuum sealing offers multiple benefits in food preservation, suitable for both commercial and domestic settings:

• Extended Shelf Life: Vacuum sealing significantly reduces oxygen levels, extending the shelf life of foods by preventing the growth of mold, yeast, and aerobic bacteria.
• Quality Preservation: It maintains food’s taste, texture, and nutritional value by protecting against oxidative damage and moisture loss or gain.
• Efficiency and Storage: Vacuum-sealed foods take up less space and can be organized more efficiently, making them a preferred method for managing inventory and optimizing storage space in both retail and home settings.
• Barrier to Contaminants: Once sealed, food is safeguarded against environmental contaminants, enhancing food safety.

Role of Oxygen Absorbers

Oxygen absorbers are small sachets containing iron powder. The powder chemically reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide, effectively removing oxygen from the surrounding environment. A small amount of moisture facilitates the reaction within the sealed package, which is necessary for the iron to oxidize.

This process significantly reduces the oxygen level inside sealed containers or packages to below 0.01%, which is crucial in preventing the growth of aerobic pathogens and the oxidation of sensitive components like fats, vitamins, and pigments. Choosing the appropriate oxygen absorber depends on several factors:

• Volume of the Package: Larger volumes require absorbers with a higher capacity to ensure all oxygen is effectively absorbed.
• Type of Product: Different foods are more or less susceptible to oxygen damage. Highly oxidizable foods may require more robust oxygen absorption.
• Storage Conditions: The expected storage temperature and duration can influence the type and strength of the absorber used, as oxygen absorption rates can vary with temperature.
• Barrier Properties of Packaging: The effectiveness of an oxygen absorber also depends on the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging material. More permeable materials might require stronger absorbers to compensate for oxygen ingress over time.

Integrating Vacuum Sealing and Oxygen Absorbers

Together, vacuum sealing and oxygen absorbers provide a robust solution for preserving a wide variety of food products, enhancing both safety and quality by significantly slowing down the degradation processes associated with oxygen exposure. This combination is particularly useful in industries where maximum shelf life and product integrity are critical, such as in the packaging of meats, dairy products, and high-fat foods.

Technical Specifications and Requirements

Adhering to technical specifications and maintenance guidelines will help ensure that vacuum sealing equipment performs effectively and reliably. The specifications of vacuum sealing equipment vary based on the intended use—commercial or residential—and the type of product being sealed. Key specifications to consider include:

• Sealing Bar Length: Determines the maximum width of bags that can be sealed.
• Vacuum Pressure Capability: Measured in millibars, this indicates the degree of vacuum the machine can achieve.
• Material Compatibility: Some sealers are designed for specific types of materials and thicknesses, especially important for sealing metallic or mylar bags versus standard plastic.
• Power Requirements: For commercial equipment, power specifications are crucial for integration into existing power setups without overloading systems.
• Control Systems: Advanced models feature programmable settings for vacuum and sealing times, which can be crucial for handling delicate or varied products.

Optimizing the operation of vacuum sealing equipment involves adjusting several parameters:

• Vacuum Level: Adjusting the vacuum level to the appropriate setting for the type of food can prevent crushing delicate items while removing sufficient air for preservation.
• Sealing Time: Must be calibrated to ensure a secure seal without overheating the material, which could lead to seal failure.
• Temperature Settings: Particularly important for heat-sealable bags, where the temperature must be high enough to effectively seal but not so high as to damage the bag.
• Batch vs. Continuous Operations: Settings might differ based on whether the machine is used for high-volume continuous runs or smaller batch operations.

Materials and Packaging

Selecting the right packaging materials is crucial for effective vacuum sealing. The materials must not only be strong enough to withstand the vacuum pressure without tearing but also must have adequate barrier properties to prevent the ingress of gases and moisture. Common materials include:

• Polyethylene: Often used for its strength and durability, suitable for a variety of food products.
• Polyamide (Nylon): Provides excellent oxygen and moisture barrier properties, often used in combination with polyethylene for added strength.
• Mylar: Known for its exceptional barrier qualities against gases, light, and moisture, making it ideal for long-term food storage.
• Laminates: Multi-layer materials that combine several properties, such as a foil layer for light and gas barrier and a plastic layer for heat sealing and durability.

Ensuring the integrity of packaging through these materials and tests is critical for maintaining the safety, quality, and shelf life of vacuum-sealed products. This requires continuous monitoring and adaptation to the latest technological advances and regulatory standards in the field. To ensure that packaging materials meet the required standards for food safety and effectiveness, they should undergo rigorous testing:

• Permeability Testing: Measures the transmission rates of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and water vapor through the packaging material to ensure they are within acceptable limits for the intended use.
• Seal Strength Testing: Assesses the strength and uniformity of seals to ensure they are secure and will maintain integrity under normal handling and storage conditions.
• Migration Testing: Ensures that no harmful substances from the packaging material migrate into the food product under expected conditions of use.
• Standard Compliance: Packaging materials must comply with international standards such as ISO, ASTM, and specific national regulations like the FDA guidelines for food contact substances.

Conclusion

Vacuum sealing and oxygen absorbers not only extend the shelf life of perishable goods but also maintain their quality by protecting against physical and biochemical spoilage mechanisms. As consumer demands for quality and sustainability grow, we can expect more tailored solutions that cater to specific food types and preservation needs, adaptable across various scales.

Stream Peak International is a global supplier of oxygen absorbers, leveraging high-quality materials and advanced technology sourced from Japan. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we strive to offer reliable solutions that enhance the shelf life and freshness of food products worldwide. By extending the shelf life of food products, we aim to minimize waste throughout the supply chain and contribute to a more sustainable future.