Vacuum packing or vacuum packaging is a method of packaging that removes air from the package prior to sealing. By removing oxygen, it increases the shelf life of the food.
Methods
Several methods of vacuum packing exist:
- vacuum bags can be used and filled with a liquid (ie wine bags)
- (plastic) bags can also be filled with solid food if they are sucked vacuum afterwards using an air pump. Commercial systems exist for this. The bags are usually sealed using heat.