EASY BK DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Australia
When researching the vast amount of information on the internet about long term food storage there was one particular method that was repeatedly recommended. It is known as Mylar bag food storage which can easily keep many different types of dry foods fresh (see long list below) for up to 20 years, depending on the type of food.
The bags must be 7ml thick to keep out light. It only takes a couple of minutes to fill and seal each bag.
Mylar, a flexible aluminum and plastic compound, makes a superlative long term food storage bag.
This is an easy, inexpensive method to use and to store dry foods for many years.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU FIRST WATCH THIS VIDEO
before reading further, as it shows how simple they are to use.
This video is from Gilbrook Farm, Simple Sustainable Living or go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rC80DafNWs
Note: that on this video the person says that you do not need food grade buckets to store your
packed food in but I have noticed that most other sites have said that you do. So, it's up to you.
Bunnings has the food grade buckets with lids available.
​What Foods Can You Store:
The opaque mylar bags keep food stored properly and fresh better than plastic or glass, and for longer periods of time. Most dry staples, dehydrated foods and freeze-dried foods are suitable for storage in mylar. Any food that is dried, has very little moisture, or in which the moisture can be removed from, can be kept in mylar bags.
Items such as flour, pasta, soft grains -- like rolled oats, rye and barley -- and dehydrated vegetables, whole wheat, dried berries, white sugar (not brown), salt, pure sorghum molasses, pure honey, cereals, dried beans
and corn, rice, textured vegetable protein TVP, dry pasta, non-fat milk powder, salt, whole spices and many
other things. Pure honey and molasses can be stored like this because they contain natural ingredients that stop bacteria from growing. Grains to Avoid Storing: Now that you know some of the best grains for long-term food storage, you should know not all grains are suitable for the long term. It is best to focus on the grains whose shelf life you can greatly prolong.
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These are the grains you should avoid storing long term:
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Brown Rice, Pot Barley, Pearl Barley
(also, do your own research for others).
DOWNLOAD Food Storage Times .pdf file, see below.
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DOWNLOAD Simple CHECKLIST .pdf file,
to help when packing your mylar bags, see below.
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About mylar bags:
The bags come in many sizes, the oxygen in the bag is removed by placing in an oxygen absorbing packet.
There are many types of mylar bags on the market, however many are not suitable for long term food storage.
The ones that I've added to this website are.
There are several ways to heat seal the bags, I use a set of hair straightener tongs (about $12 from Big W).
Or you can use an iron, but this is more fiddly. You do not need any specialised equipment.
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Where to buy Food Grade Mylar Bags 7 Mil. in Small, Medium or Extra Large - Australia
https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/Mylar-Bags-Food-Grade-7-MIL-Pack-of-25
Mylar films have extremely low Oxygen Transmission Rates due to the foil layer. The thickness of the film overall is not
as important as the thickness and quality of this metalisation when it comes to long-term food storage. This is because oxygen cannot penetrate metal. And strength? Even one square inch of this Mylar film can support the weight of two
and a half cinder blocks!
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Extreme oxygen and moisture barrier
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Foodgrade FDA approved
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Bags Free of BPA and other toxins
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Long Term Food Storage
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Unlike most other brands in Australia these are made in the USA!
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Provides well over 25 years of protection from oxidation, mould, and bugs*
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Zip Lock for Easy Resealing
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*Based on the Oxygen Transmission Rate of this Mylar, heat-sealed as instructed with correct Oxygen Absorbers.
You can add boiling water to these mylar bags to reconstitute meals. Please take precaution as the bag will be hot to touch. It is advised to place your bag in a sturdy container before adding boiling water.
NOTE: ALL Mylar bags MUST be heat-sealed and include and oxygen absorbers for safe food storage. A reseal top is only for resealing food after you open it. Each oxygen absorber pack includes an Oxygen Indicator.
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Size Specifications:
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S (16oz) - 473ml - 15cm x 18cm x 7.6cm
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M (32oz) - 946ml - 18cm x 20cm x 7.6cm
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L (64oz) - 1.89 Litres - 20cm x 30cm x 10cm
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XL (128oz) - 3.78 Litres - 26cm x 29cm x 14cm
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Bag Thickness:
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7mil = 0.18mm = 178micron
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Features:
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Premium Heavy Duty Mylar®
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Thickness: 7 MIL / 0.18mm
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Pack of 25 bags each
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Zip Lock Seal for easy resealing
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Free Standing (Gusseted) Bags
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Oxygen Absorbers are sold separately.
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Country of Origin: USA
*Mylar Bag must be filled completely.
Oxygen absorbers are essential
Oxygen Absorption Required for Common Foods:
Oxygen Absorbers for Long Term Food Storage.
To ensure adequate oxygen absorption for long term preservation of food Survival Supplies Australia recommends mylar bags should be filled completely & food packed tightly.
There is nothing wrong with using more oxygen absorbers than necessary. If you are unsure of the quantity of oxygen absorbers needed, always go
with a higher quantity.
Note: like flour and powdered mixes consist of
very fine particles, they can contain a surprising amount of air. Be aware that 300cc oxygen absorption quantity per 3.8 litres isn’t enough
for food types like pasta.
Food types can be deceiving and may contain far more air than you thought therefore it is okay and a great idea to use more absorbing power than necessary. Flour can be 50% air! Pastas can be 75% air! A larger capacity Oxygen Absorber will help account for this.
If there was a tiny leak in the seal, a larger absorber
will continue to absorb oxygen for many years.
Click on PDFs to download files
Use food grade containers to protect your food from pests..
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Label and date all items.
Freeze-Dried Food vs Dehydrated for long term food storage
A lot of people use the terms dehydrated and freeze-dried like they are the same thing. However, there are some major differences between dehydrated and freeze-dried food storage. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3VAmzBFJpI
The Main Differences:
Moisture Content. The main objective with food preservation is to remove the moisture so that the food doesn’t decompose, grow mold, etc. Dehydration removes about 90-95 percent of the moisture content while freeze drying removes about 98-99 percent. Foods that you dehydrate at your home will typically have a 10 percent moisture content level while foods that are dehydrated professionally will have a lower moisture content - which increases the shelf life.
Shelf Life. The moisture removal has a direct impact on the shelf life. Most dehydrated products like dried fruits, vegetables, powders, and TVP; have a shelf life of about 15-20 years. However, dehydrated items like honey, salt, sugar, hard wheat, and oats have a 30-year shelf life - sometimes longer.
Freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, just-add-water meals and real meats will have a 25-30-year shelf life. Freeze-dried foods will have a longer average shelf life. Ideally, all of your food storage would be stored in a cool dry place.
Nutritional Content. According to research by the American Institute for Cancer Research, freeze-dried foods retain
the vast majority of the vitamins and minerals found in the original food. However, when compared to fresh fruits and vegetables, freeze-dried foods did lack in some vitamins - like Vitamin C - which breaks down very rapidly.
Dehydration doesn’t change the fiber or iron content of food. However, dehydration can break down vitamins and minerals during the preservation process and retain less of their nutritional value when compared to freeze-dried food. Dehydration tends to result in the loss of Vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.
Coffee was one of the first freeze dried food products to be produced, but now vegetables, fruits, dairy products, herbs and food flavourings can be successfully freeze dried.
Food Types Suitable For Freeze Drying: Coffee, Fruit and juice, Vegetables, Dairy.
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SOME AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIERS OF READY MADE FREEZE DRIED FOODS: Note: I have not tried these companies…
https://www.freezedryindustries.com.au/products-services/our-products/
https://www.traveluniverse.com.au/Freeze-Dried-Food-Packs.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0s9gMlOtn-hnE-0KlyEAVVR0f3Xc3Ze_uSqSD2bGZvDDPqLy4t10AsaAsM0EALw_wcB&sort=manu
This product was recommended by a couple of BKs from Europe.
Online information about NRG-5 ZERO® emergency food rations. Ingredients: Baked rice, palm fat, sugar, rice protein, natural flavor. The bar that ends in ZERO is - Gluten and lactose free, vegan. Durable up to 15 years, GMO free.
Fortified with high quality ingredients. It is developed for use in relief operations during natural or man made disasters, for emergency preparedness.
A pack of NRG-5® (500g / 2300 kcal) covers the daily energy requirements of an adult. Ready-to-eat, no heating or boiling required. Can be given to children as of 6 months old. By crushing the compressed bars and adding water, you can prepare a nutritious mash or an energy drink, depending on how much water you add.
From Jan: This is not a product that I would use, but for quick short term emergency food it may be ok. I'd suggest storing fresh dry foods in Mylar bags instead. That is much healthier and cheaper, although it will take up more space.
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