I found an article a few days ago that has been on my mind quite a bit. The article can be found here. But if you don’t want to read it, I’ll tell you what the basic gist of it is. Columbia Food Laboratories conducted a recent study testing the oxygen levels in a couple of major food storage brands. Oxygen is one of the four factors that can reduce the shelf life of food (the others are heat, light, and moisture). Ideally, any long term food storage should contain less than 2% oxygen.
What prompted the study is the crazy notion that Wise Food puts out all of their food storage in mylar bags rather than #10 cans, yet they still claim a 25 year shelf life. So they tested the oxygen levels in 30 of these mylar Wise Food packages and compared them to the oxygen found in 30 of their own products. The findings were amazing. The oxygen levels found in the Wise Food meals were 110 times higher than what was found in Mountain House. The average oxygen levels found in Wise Food were over 18% (only 3% less than what is found in the atmosphere) while the oxygen levels in Mountain House were at a very safe level of 0.16%.
And the sad part about the whole thing is that the samples tested were only manufactured in April of this year (2012). That means that within a month or two of being packaged, the Wise Food mylar bags already expose the food inside to as much oxygen as if it was just sitting open on the shelf. I already didn’t like the Wise Food company (based on taste, and ingredients used) but now they have given me another reason to never ever buy their food. The Wise Food website claims to package their food in airtight mylar pouches, and that the majority of the oxygen is removed… Yeah, a whole 3%. I also find it interesting that they don’t use oxygen absorbers because they don’t seem to think that they need them. Keep telling yourself that, Wise Food.
Mountain House freeze dried foods are produced by Oregon Freeze Dry who also manufacture brands such as Food Insurance and Daily Bread Food Storage. I would trust any brand put out by Oregon Freeze Dry to contain low oxygen levels, but in my opinion, I’d be weary looking for long term food storage elsewhere. I never would and never will purchase food storage in mylar bags unless I am planning to rotate through it like I would any other food. #10 cans are the only “safe” option in my opinion if you want your storage to last for at least 25 years.
What do you think of the study results?
I am so glad I found this site! I am just starting my food storage “journey” and this is one of the better sources of info I’ve found. Funny thing is that I was never one to worry about this stuff until my Uncle Ed showed me his food storage shed and educated me a bit on how many things that could happen that could potentially cause a food shortage. It’s scary. I’m going to start small, but I am still trying to learn the basics. It sounds simple. I’m quickly learning it’s NOT! Thanks for the blog. Great info!
I would appreciate it if you could post that study here or give us the URL to go there and read the results ourselves. Very interesting findings. I’m wondering about the effectiveness of the mylar and oxygen absorbers that many preppers are using these days for long term storage.
Thanks
Hey Jim, thank you for the comment! I actually posted the study as a link at the very top of the article. In the 2nd sentence of the post, if you click on the word “here” it will take you to the study! Sorry, I should not have hidden the link like that. Here is the url for it as well so that you can go and check it out. I encourage you to do so! http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mountain-house-educates-consumers-on-the-presence-of-high-oxygen-content-in-competitors-products-2012-07-13
I believe that the mylar bags would be more effective if oxygen absorbers are used, but Wise food chooses not to use oxygen absorbers at all, which I feel is a part of their problem. However, with 18% oxygen content, even an oxygen absorber won’t bring that down to safe levels, so there must be something wrong with their packaging process as well. I am eager to see if Wise releases any type of study or press release in response.
Please find below the initial press release from Wise Company released on July 16, 2012:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wise Company, Inc.: Ensuring Quality Every Step of the Way
Salt Lake City, Utah – July 16, 2012: Mountain House, a supplier of emergency and outdoor foods, issued a press release on July 12, 2012 targeting a single competitor: Wise Company. Why attack Wise Company when Mountain House has dozens of other competitors? Because Mountain House is now launching a new bucket and pouch line designed for emergency preparedness very similar to a product that has been a specialty of Wise Company since their inception.
Wise Company has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years with its emergency foods packaged in pouches capable of lasting up to 25 years. During this time, Mountain House has claimed that food pouches have no more than a 7-year shelf life. Now, in conjunction with the launch of its new product line, Mountain House has changed its story and claims that pouches can achieve a 25-year shelf life!
Wise Company takes great pride in providing high quality emergency food with a long-term shelf life. The Mountain House surprise attack relies on a lab study commissioned and presumably paid for by Mountain House. Notably, Wise Company’s existing quality testing and data show oxygen levels in its products lower than those alleged by Mountain House.
Wise Company’s raw materials and finished goods contain very low moisture levels. The extreme low moisture content contributes to product stability. Wise Company product is then packed in ultra-high barrier (UHB) packaging with a very low oxygen transmission rate as well as a very low water vapor transmission rate (WTR). Once sealed, Wise individual pouches are stored in durable plastic containers. These elements, along with proper storage and temperature, are essential to providing consumers with quality products capable of lasting up to 25 years.
“We take our obligations in this industry very seriously,” said Brian Neville, president and CEO of Wise Company. “We have confidence in our food pouches standing the test of time.”
About Wise Company, Inc.
Wise Company takes an innovative approach, providing dependable, simple and affordable ready-made freeze dried and dehydrated foods for emergency preparedness and outdoor use. Whether you are preparing your family for the future or planning your next outdoor adventure, Wise Company provides great tasting, nutritious entrees that are quick and easy. In short, Wise Company offers a dependable, simple and affordable choice for both your emergency food supply and outdoor needs. For more information on Wise Company and a complete list of products go to wisefoodstorage(dot)com