Posted on 02/27/2016 7:55:09 AM PST by TMSuchman
I have wondered the same thing but, the Science Diet I buy is so oily, I would be afraid it would go rancid in a year or two.
I ordered from Calvet.
The bags of cat food I bought last week all have expiration dates of between a year to a year and a half from now. (I’m assuming the expiration date refers to storage in the original bag).
I bought regular Purina cat chow, and three types of Beyond, which all run between 13% and 15% crude fat. So it seems to me if it’s good for a year in the bag, it would be good at least six months or even a year longer, vacuum packed. Isn’t exposure to air a main factor in rancidity?
I’d feel a lot safer stockpiling canned food; but my little adoptees were raised in a rescue facility and apparently never exposed to canned food. They don’t like it, and won’t eat people food either.
-JT
I’ve thought about this for cats, and I think the key is to find out what special nutrients they require, and keep a supply of that on hand - for cats, for instance, Taurine is essential. I’ve wondered how long a supplement like that lasts, and if it’s possible to freeze supplements
I don’t think it’s as bad for dogs to survive a while on ‘people food’ as it is for cats; but I’m not a dog owner and never looked into it.
-JT
Yes , exposure to air/orygen is the main culprit in decay of Long Term food supplies .
Vacuum seal removes the oxygen , but even 'seal a meal' plastics will leak over a long period of time ;
but is rarely noticed in freezing (which inhibits bacterial growth) since those foods a more frequently consumed within weeks of being put in storage.
That is why even mylar sealed bags encourage the use of 'oxygen absorbers' for long term food supplies usage .
Volatile oils such as olive oils turn 'musty' even though there isn't much air in the bottle ; storage of olive oil should be rotated less than 18 months of pressing,
and there isn't that much room for air in the bottle in the first place.
Fat , a more liquid form of volatile oils , can turn musty and rancid within weeks , under the wrong storage conditions, and contaminate the food product.
That is why we are encouraged to rotate even canned good supplies on a regular and timely basis (ie: botulism ).
Chances are that those bags are specially coated inside with a moisture and oxygen barrier , or inhibitor.
The product expiration date probably coincides with the date of production , not the date of purchase.
Once the sealed bag is opened, the expiration date becomes moot .
Can the mylar bags be sealed with a vacuum packer, or will that melt them? I usually see people sealing them with an iron, but getting air out seems awkward with the mylar.
-JT
You can see what you are doing and it leaves your hands free.
Thanks. We purchased some oxygen absorbers to practice with, and we have a vacuum packer. Our ‘prepping’ is small-scale and so far limited to canned supplies, first aid, batteries, water, alternative cooking methods and paper products. But the pets are one of the things I worry about, in case of disruption of supply for some reason.
If your really worried, don’t vacuum seal - pressure can.
Put the dry food in mason jars and heat seal in a pressure cooker. Keep ‘em in a cool, dry, dark location and they’ll last a long, L O N G time.
I think I can do that. We’re researching pressure cookers - I’ve finally gotten over my lifelong suspicion of them ;-)
I just can’t decide between the pros and cons of electric vs. stovetop. From what I’ve read, the stovetop ones seem to keep up heat more reliably...and the electric ones are easier to use.
-JT
I use a stovetop model. Heat up on high, then med-hi to completion. Works well.
Hi;
Would you mind telling me the model of your cooker?
We’re planning on buying one.
Thanks,
JT
Also, when you’re pressure canning dry goods, you don’t need them to be under pressure too long. Say, 10 minutes at operating pressure should do it. You’re just trying to get the internal temp hot enough to create a vacuum - you are not trying to sterilize the dry goods.
Vacuum seal with a couple of oxygen absorption packs and store in a cool place.
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