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VACUUM SEALING GUIDELINES
www.ziplocvacuumsealer.com 1-888-723-5198
Food Storage & Safety
Food Preparation Hints and Tips for
Air-Tight Vacuum Sealing
IMPORTANT: Vacuum packaging is NOT a
substitute for refrigeration or freezing. Any
perishable foods that require refrigeration
must still be refrigerated or frozen after
vacuum packaging.
IMPORTANT: There are basic rules to
follow when handling food: COOK,
SEPARATE, CLEAN and CHILL.
IMPORTANT: Always thaw food in either
refrigerator or microwave - do not thaw
perishable foods at room temperature.
IMPORTANT: Due to risk of anaerobic
bacteria, soft cheeses should never be
vacuum packaged.
For best results in extending the life of foods,
it is important to vacuum package foods
that are fresh. Once food has begun to
deteriorate, vacuum packaging may only slow
the deterioration process. Vacuum sealing
cannot prevent the growth of mold. Other
disease causing microorganisms can still grow
in low oxygen environments and may require
further measures to be eliminated. Yeast The development of yeast can be slowed by
refrigeration and completely stopped by freezing
food at 0°F(-18°C).Yeast causes fermentation,
which gives food an identiable smell. Bacteria
- Bacteria can grow rapidly in the “Danger
Zone”, the temperatures between 40ºF and
140ºF. Pathogenic bacteria cause illness and
do not generally affect the taste, smell or
appearance of food. They are rare, but can be
very dangerous.
Cooking, Thawing and Reheating -
Simmering in a Ziploc
®
Brand Vacuum Sealer
Bag helps food retain its avor and it helps
with the clean up as well. When reheating
foods in the microwave that have been stored
in Ziploc
®
Brand Vacuum Sealer Bags,
puncture the bag to allow hot air to escape.
You can also reheat foods in Ziploc
®
Brand
Vacuum Sealer Bags by placing them in
water at a low simmer below 170°F (77°C).
Preparation Hints for Meat and Fish:
Pre-freeze meat and sh for 1-2 hours before
vacuum packaging. This helps retain the juice
and shape, providing a better seal. If you can’t,
place a folded paper towel between the food
and top of the bag, but below seal area. Leave
paper towel in bag to absorb excess moisture
and juices during vacuum packaging process.
Preparation Hints for Cheeses:
Buy fresh and keep fresh, that’s our motto!
Vacuum package cheese after each use. If you
make your bag just a little longer than needed,
you can re-seal the bag after each use.
Preparation Guidelines for Vegetables:
Mom always said “eat your vegetables..”, We
say blanch them. Blanching is a process that
should be done before vacuum packaging.
This process stops the enzyme action that
could lead to loss of avor, color and texture.
To blanch vegetables, place them in simmering water or in a microwave until they are
cooked, but still crisp. Blanching times can
range from 1 to 2 minutes for leafy greens
and peas; 3 to 4 minutes for snap peas,
sliced zucchini or broccoli; carrots about 5
minutes; and 7 to 11 minutes for corn on the
cob. After blanching, immerse vegetables in
cold water to stop the cooking process.
Cook– It is crucial to cook food to a safe internal
temperature to destroy bacteria that is present.
Bacteria is not just a surface condition but can
be found deep within the mixture of meats and
other foods. Separate - Foods that will be eaten
uncooked and foods that will be cooked before
eating MUST ALWAYS be kept separate. Cross
contamination can occur when raw foods (such
as meats or eggs) come in contact with foods
that will be eaten before or after cooking.
Always use your Ziploc
®
Brand Vacuum Sealer
Bags to ensure that juices won’t drip onto fresh
produce or other foods. Clean– Wash hands
and work surfaces frequently when cooking.
Wash with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, then dry with a paper towel. Chill - Chilling
food is very important. To help preserve food
safely, do not allow food to stand at room temperature for 2 hours or more, set your
refrigerator to 40°F(4°C) or colder and your
freezer to 0°F(-17°C). Freezing at 0°F does
not kill microorganisms, but stops them from
growing. For long-term storage, always freeze
perishable foods that have been vacuum
packaged and keep refrigerated after packaging.