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Showing posts from January, 2026

Understanding Chocolate Shelf Life Beyond the Expiration Date

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  Most of the time, chocolate doesn’t degrade all at once. Instead, it deteriorates by steadily losing characteristics related to texture, flavor, aroma, and appearance. Because of this gradual degradation, some chocolate products may technically still be safe to eat but no longer enjoyable. Chocolate expiration dates are often meant to represent the quality of the product rather than safety; improper or sub-par conditions may cause deterioration well before the expiration date is reached. Chocolate in a deteriorated state may indicate aging (i.e., “bloom”) and may lose taste, develop different mouth-feel characteristics, or other indicators that suggest improper storage conditions affecting the product. Oxygen and water are the most common reasons for the gradual deterioration of chocolate. Even the smallest amount of air or moisture that enters the package over time can trigger unwanted chemical reactions between sugars and oils. This would happen more quickly with milk chocolate...

The Role Printing Plays in How Customers Judge Mylar Packaging

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  Most customers do not consider packaging to be separate from the products inside. When it comes to Mylar bags, the product should exceed the customer’s expectations because they are perceived to be denser than regular plastic packaging. When printing on Mylar bags, clear printing and sharp edges convey an attitude of care and intent. When the printing on a Mylar bag is faded or uneven, sureness about the contents can be diminished, even if they are actually in good condition. With regard to defects and other problems with Mylar (e.g., alignment, color, smudging), their reflective nature makes them easier for customers to see versus using a matte paper or cardboard type of substrate. Thus, companies that do not understand the printing processes and setup will be more affected by the printing process than they typically expect. Another aspect of printing on Mylar bags that companies should consider is consistency among each production run. When companies order multiple production r...

Why the Custom Mylar Packaging Landscape Is Being Redefined

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  The custom Mylar bag manufacturing industry has grown beyond simply producing bulk amounts of packaged products. Brands that want to develop and test new products with minimal up-front commitments are reducing friction, enabling more independent or emerging brands to compete with traditional packaging sources, as well as an increasing number of independent brands challenging traditional packaging sources. The expectation of order volume has been reduced from making larger quantities of product packaging to smaller quantities to create and test new packaging concepts with minimal commitment, creating more innovation; lowering the time for production and enhancing design flexibility has transitioned linear order volumes from premium offerings to baseline expectations for brand owners.  Brand owners now expect to have their products packaged and have the packaging change quickly, owing to design decisions made prior to the completion of theproject. These evolving expectations h...

Why Glow in the Dark Packaging Is More Than a Visual Gimmick

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  Glow-in-the-dark package design is moving from novelty to strategy, and brands within the competitive e-commerce and retail markets are discovering that using visual differentiation will drive sales. Packaging will continue to provide an experience, even when the lights go out, that can't be replicated with traditional printing techniques. Glow-in-the-dark Mylar bags create the perfect combination of high-barrier protection and an interactive visual element that provide odor resistance and strength, along with blocking moisture, oxygen, and light. However, the experience of the product is different based on where the customer is using it. In low-light environments like bars, clubs, and dispensaries, glow-in-the-dark packaging has a natural competitive advantage. Additionally, packaging that glows creates a strong brand recall; thus, memorable packaging will encourage repeat purchases. Customers often share unique packaging designs on social media, allowing amplification of brand ...

Resealable Mylar Bags for Everyday Convenience

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  Resealable Mylar bags are very convenient for customers because their design integrates into their daily routines. Common sense would tell that using something that could be held together with clips, inside containers, or effort to keep from coming open is not an option when using food or other goods.  Resealable Mylar bags offer customers the ability to access products multiple times without compromising freshness. Resealable Mylar Bags will give consumers access to products consumed progressively, such as snacks, powders, dog food, or any specialty product being consumed a little at a time.  By simply resealing the bag, there is a lot less mess when the bag is sealed correctly due to any potential for spills, crumbs, or night air exposure when opening and closing the bags. Whether in your pantry, backpack, or retail display, resealable Mylar bags make it easier on you to store your product. Shoppers perceive value with the resealable Mylar bag packaging. Many shoppers...

Why Air Exposure Ruins Dry Dog Food Faster Than You Think

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  Even though dry dog food appears stable, it is very sensitive to oxygen. Once air enters the bag, fats oxidize and nutrients begin to break down. This is why kibble can smell bad long before the expiration date and why an animal may not eat it if it has smelled bad for a while. Normal storage containers will slow the oxidization of dog food, however they will not stop it completely. Most containers of dry dog food are not completely airtight at the molecular level. Using Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, you can greatly reduce the exposure to oxygen. For an in-depth understanding about storing dog food in Mylar bags and whether or not it works for storing dog food, check out my article titled Can You Store Dog Food in Mylar Bags? for more information on how this method works and why you would want to use it.

Choosing the Right Storage Bag for Long-Term Protection

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  Selecting a storage bag that will serve your needs for the long term can be very rewarding. The choice of bag can also affect your food storage or product packaging with respect to the overall freshness, shelf life, and quality of that product. Two bags many people commonly evaluate for food storage versus packaging needs are Mylar bags and vacuum bags. Most people, however, do not understand how dissimilar the performance of these two bags really is. Mylar bags are made from multiple layers of various materials engineered to block the transfer of oxygen, moisture, light, and odor from the outside of the bag to the inside of the bag. Mylar bags are perfect for long-term storage when used in conjunction with oxygen absorbers. Foods placed in Mylar bags may have a shelf life of years rather than months. Due to their ability to preserve food for long periods of time, Mylar bags are widely used for emergency food storage, bulk dry goods, and sensitive products that require stable sto...

Static Control and Mylar Bags: Separating Facts From Assumptions

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  Static electricity can be detrimental, but it is not just a mere annoyance. Many industries, including the food industry and those involved with electronics, need to be especially aware of the potential dangers associated with static electricity. When people think aboutMylar(vérification requise) they may assume that these materials provide protection against static electricity, due to their common usage within professional packaging. Not only can Mylar provide an excellent barrier against the elements and help keep food, supplements, and industrial products fresh, but Mylar also possesses many other properties, including its strength and durability. As a result, many users of Mylar do not think about the fact that Mylar alone will not eliminate the effects of static electricity. An unmodified Mylar bag will typically maintain an electrical charge. When fine powders or lighter-weight materials are used in conjunction with Mylar, the static electricity that builds up in the Mylar ...

Why Recycling Labels on Mylar Bags Can Be Misleading

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  It can be hard to tell that many Mylar bags are actually recyclable based only on their looks. Like many plastics, they also have a texture that is similar to many other flexible packaging materials, yet this can confuse many people looking to recycle their Mylar bags. Mylar bags are built differently than typical recyclable materials. While typical recyclable materials are single layer, Mylar bags will normally consist of different materials laminated together that are meant to keep the contents protected from light, air and moisture. There is no way to separate these multiple laminated layers of Mylar bags through normal recycling processes. Many Mylar bags have a technical recyclability statement printed on the package; meaning the material can be recycled under certain conditions. But most consumers pay attention only to what they put in the curbside recycling bins; thus most consumers will not recycle Mylar bags when they should be recycled. Without clear definitions of what...

Choosing the Right Foods for Long Term Mylar Storage

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  Some foods do not belong inside a Mylar bag. Some foods are better suited for long-term storage, while others are destined for use within an average time frame. By understanding what types of food are recommended for long-term storage and how they should be stored, you can save yourself considerable cost and effort. Grains, legumes, and dried foods are the safest choices currently available. These foods will remain stable, predictable, resistant to spoilage, provided they have been sealed properly. Therefore, they are well suited for both your pantry, and in times of emergency or other significant bulk storage needs. Food items containing high amounts of fat and/or oil can be problematic. Whole grains, nuts and other similar mixes can go bad because of rancidity sooner than 3-4 week time frames, which means you will need to be much more mindful about your storage method with these types of foods than you would with those listed above. There is also the consideration of future use...

What Foods Store Best in Mylar Bags and Which Ones Do Not

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  Food storage is an important part of building a food reserve; however, the way food reacts to long-term storage varies widely. Some factors you will want to utilize when building your food storage would be based on your available space and budget, as well as the amount of effort you can devote to it. The longest-lasting food to store is low-moisture, low-fat food. White rice, dry beans, oats, pasta, flour, and dried vegetables can all last for years if stored properly. These are the most popular types of food for use in an emergency food supply, for bulk purchasing, and for long-term plans. The foods having the highest oil and fat content are the ones that will have a less shelf life. Foods such as brown rice, nuts, granola, and whole-wheat flour all have oils that oxidize, and even when they are stored in a contained environment, they only have a shelf life of about two years. Salt and sugar can be stored indefinitely without being exposed to oxygen, thus these two foods are the...

Is Reusing Mylar Bags Better Than Throwing Them Away?

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  Mylar bags can be reused, providing an additional opportunity to conserve the environment and to take greater advantage of the durability of Mylar packaging. Mylar will never break down; therefore, maintaining and extending its useful life lowers the number of times that it will need to be replaced. For consumers, that means reducing how many Mylar bags they purchase and decreasing clutter. For businesses, it reinforces their sustainability message and encourages consumers to responsibly dispose of Mylar bags. However, as with anything, safety and performance should always be considered when reusing a product. If a Mylar bag displays visual damage, if it has retained an odour or if the seal has failed, it is better to discard the bag and obtain a replacement bag to provide better protection for the contents, preserve quality, and avoid cross-contamination. For more information on whether or not you can reuse a Mylar bag, check out our post " Are Mylar Bags Reusable? " where...

Are Mylar Bags Toxic?

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  Mylar bags are not toxic if they aren’t if made properly. Mylar is a polyester film that is commonly used to package food and medical supplies because it is stable, non-reactive, and acts as a barrier to moisture, air, and light. Under normal conditions of use and storage, Mylar does not produce or leak toxins. The issue is with the materials used in making low-quality Mylar how the bags are manufactured. This is not an issue with Mylar itself. The potential toxicity that people often talk about is related to the inner layers that are not food-grade, bad adhesives, or cheap inks that could potentially migrate over time. Quality Mylar bags from companies you can trust are made with food-safe and BPA-free materials, as well as low-migration inks that comply with FDA food contact standards. Learn more here.