If you work in the meat industry, either shipping meat products or selling them, how you store the meat and package it for transport is important.  Keep reading for more information on what vacuum sealing is, the shelf life of vacuum-sealed meat, and the benefits of this method of meat storage.

What is vacuum sealing?

Vacuum sealing is a common method of storing meat to avoid spoilage and for ease of transportation. It’s most often seen with meal preparation kits, specialty food suppliers, food manufacturers, grocery stores, and restaurants. It works by removing excess oxygen which slows down the process of the meat perishing, ultimately reducing waste and keeping products fresh for longer periods of time. This method of storing raw meat and other products involves placing items in a plastic film package, removing air from the inside, and sealing it.

Shelf life benefits of vacuum-sealed frozen and raw meat

Raw meats: Raw meats can be stored for up to 10 days when vacuum-sealed before it needs to be cooked or frozen. Comparatively, raw meat that is not stored in this way will only last 3-5 days in the refrigerator before it starts to spoil, often evidenced by a bad odour. Frozen meats: Frozen raw meats that are vacuum packed accordingly can be stored in the freezer for 1-3 years depending on what kind of meat it is. Raw meat that is not vacuum-sealed will only last 1-12 months depending on the type of meat. Shipping benefits Those involved in food shipping and transportation, providing meal prep kits, or other food services who need to transport perishable foods to their customers will hugely benefit from the extended shelf life offered by vacuum seal packaging. This ensures that products do not spoil when being shipped, ensuring a fresh product to the customer every time. The worst thing a customer can experience is opening a meat package that gives off a terrible smell, proving it hasn’t been packaged properly and is now spoiled. To make sure that your customers receive a fresh, high-quality product, vacuum-sealing your products is the method to choose. If you have any questions about how we package at VWG and transport our pork products, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We strive to deliver a superior product that has gone through thorough quality control checks so that our customers can rely on us for their wholesale pork.