How to Choose Plastic Vacuum Bags

Release date:

2022-01-13 13:40

To keep food fresh and prevent spoilage, vacuum packaging is commonly used in food bags—eliminating any exposure to oxygen that could cause oxidation. This method not only extends the shelf life of the food but also helps protect it from being crushed during transportation. So, when selecting plastic packaging bags, what key factors should we consider? And what precautions should we take during the actual shipping process?

1. After vacuum sealing, the puncture resistance of plastic bags becomes crucial. Whether used for transportation or retail packaging, one of the primary functions of these bags is to protect food. If most of them are easily pierced, they lose their protective capability altogether. Therefore, it’s essential to determine whether your product contains sharp or hard objects and assess how well the bag can withstand such punctures—ideally at an appropriate level. A common approach is to request samples from the packaging manufacturer, conduct your own vacuum-sealing tests, and then subject the bags to additional stress tests like tossing, dropping, or applying pressure, before finally checking whether any bags have torn or been compromised.

2. In what environments are vacuum bags used? These include processing environments, storage environments, and transportation environments. Depending on the specific environmental requirements, different types of plastic films and printing techniques must be selected. For instance, ready-to-eat braised duck paws, after being vacuum-packed, undergo either high-temperature sterilization or boiling sterilization. Each method places distinct demands on the packaging material: high-temperature sterilization requires plastic films that can withstand temperatures above 121°C, while boiling sterilization mandates materials resistant to 100°C—and crucially, these films must remain insoluble in water under high-temperature conditions, ensuring excellent barrier properties against moisture penetration.

3. Other requirements for food preservation. Vacuum bags are chosen to extend shelf life and better maintain the food’s color, aroma, and flavor. Beyond needing puncture resistance, there are many other functional demands. For instance, salt-baked chicken legs and salt-baked chicken wings contain oils and release aromatic molecules, so the plastic bags must also be oil-resistant and capable of retaining fragrance.