Vacuum packing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 packing is commonly used for long-term storage of dry foods such as cereals, nuts, cured meats, cheese, smoked fish, and coffee, and also for shorter-term storage of fresh foods such as vegetables, meats, and liquids such as soups.

Hills Brothers Coffee, Inc., a San Francisco-founded concern that once commanded the largest share of the American coffee market, is believed to have introduced the first commercially reliable vacuum sealing process^{[citation needed]}.

Vacuum packing is also used to reduce greatly the bulk of non-food items. For example, clothing and bedding can be stored in bags evacuated with a domestic vacuum cleaner or a dedicated vacuum sealer. This technique is sometimes used to compact household waste, for example where a charge is made for each full bag collected.

Vacuum packaging products using plastic bags, canisters, bottles, or mason jars are available for home use.