Preservation Methods For Shelf Stable Meals Minnesota

By Rebecca Jackson


Preserved foods are common in many places. Shelf stable meals are ready-made foods preserved for use after a long time. They can even go for about three years and maintain their edibility. There are various preservation methods that one can use to preserve the meals for a long time. The following are preservation methods for shelf stable meals Minnesota to consider.

Canning process. Canning is suitable for preserving processed foods and their end products. Foods preserved using this process can last for three to five years. Free-dried products can even last for thirty years without spoilage. There is two canning process that one can adopt. One can use the boiling water process or pressure method. The boiling process is ideal for fruits whereas the pressure method is ideal for different types of meats.

Aseptic processing method. This method is common with milk products and juices. The content uses an ultra-high temperature system in sterilization. Also, one can also use a direct transfer of heat procedure that relies on steam injection or infusion. Sterilization of the container used in the container relies on radiation, hot water, heat, and chemical sterilizers.

Retort pouches. Such a pouch is food packaging packet made out of a flexible plastic and metal foils. It can handle a variety of drinks and foods used in aseptic processing. Most manufacturers prefer using it as an alternative to canning methods. The preparation method starts with preparing the food at about two hundred and forty degrees for a couple of minutes. The packaging process does not permit any gas from outside to enter into the pouch. Retort pouches are common in field rations, camping food and space foods.

Use of acid. The acidification process is a combined process that relies on heating and acid. It targets sour foods with higher Ph. Most foods that depend on this process are purees made out of citrus fruits. Heating can go up to around ninety degrees whereas the acidity level lowered to about 4.6Ph. Acidification uses less heat compared with the one used in the aseptic process.

Lowering the level of water content. Water content can support the growth of yeast and mold. Lowering the level of water content reduces the possibility of the mold or yeast growth. Dehydration is usually common in draining the level of water or the use of sugars or salt. Water content lowering can go to about 0.65 according to the measurements used in measuring water content in foods.

Freeze drying. This process is common with meals for backpackers, military and astronauts. Food is quickly frozen, and the ice turned to water vapor by removing food in a vacuum resulting in a dehydrated product. It maintains the original shape of a product and maintains quality in the product as well. Its primary applications include biological methods such as bacteria and yeasts, biomedical and food processing.

These measures have some setbacks despite their advantages. For starters, some of the additives in this process can lead to irritation ending up affecting some people. Also, there are possibilities of low flavor and a complete loss of necessary nutrients. Heating and freezing can quickly lower the nutrients levels. Finally, most manufacturers produce low rations that cannot suit a multiple serving.




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