Vacuum packing is a method of storing food and presenting it for sale. Appropriate types of food are stored in an airless environment, usually in an air-tight pack or bottle to prevent the growth of microorganisms. The vacuum environment removes atmospheric oxygen, protecting the food from spoiling by limiting the growth of aerobic bacteria or fungi, and preventing the evaporation of volatile components. Vacuum packaging food can extend its life by up to 3-5 times."
When it comes to trying to preserve food, one of the best ways is to vacuum seal it. This will allow the food to last three to five times longer than simply placing it in the fridge in wrapped plastic or a container. This is due to the fact that the food is no longer coming in contact with oxygen. Aside from lasting longer, the vacuum sealed food maintains its appearance and virtually shuts down the growth of many bacteria or other microorganisms since most of them cannot grow without oxygen. The issue of freezer burn is also greatly reduced, because again, the food is not interacting with the cold air. Here are some tips on how to vacuum seal food with both the manual pump method and by using an automated machine.