Does Freeze Dried Food Go Bad?

In reality, freeze-dried food can stale, but its exceptional shelf life makes it a standout in the food preservation industry. Have you ever wondered why freeze-dried foods do not spoil as quickly as other foods? Well, you’re not alone if you did, and we’re here to answer all your thoughts!

Freeze-Drying Process

An approach to food preservation, freeze-drying, involves evaporating moisture from frozen food. This procedure preserves the food's nutritional content, taste, and texture, allowing it to be kept for a long time without going bad. 

Since freeze-dried food, like freeze-dried candy, is almost totally without moisture, it does not provide the ideal environment for the development of germs, in contrast to dehydrated foods. Freezing the fresh food is the first step in the freeze-drying process. Subsequently, it is subjected to a vacuum chamber, where the pressure is decreased, resulting in the solidification of the water present in the meal into vapor without undergoing any phase transition. 

This method of drying food without damaging its structure or flavor is called sublimation. Freeze-drying eradicates moisture, which in turn stops the development of microbes and enzymes that might lead to food degradation. 

Freeze-dried candy food is an ideal option for long-term preservation and disaster preparation, as it preserves its natural flavor, color, and nutrients.

Factors Affecting Shelf Life of Freeze-dried Food

Various factors can affect the shelf life. The most common four factors include:

Oxygen

One essential factor in retaining freeze-dried food's freshness is minimizing its exposure to oxygen or air. The minerals, vitamins, taste, and color of freeze-dried food start to disappear the moment air is added because the food starts to reabsorb oxygen.

Moisture

Any kind of moisture can ruin freeze-dried food without a question. In order to keep food from going bad, it's important to keep it in a dry place. Basements and other less-ventilated places tend to have high humidity levels.

Light

When storing, keep your food away from direct sunlight or any other source of light. Over time, oxidation caused by light might diminish the food's quality.

Temperature

Controlling the temperature is essential for freeze-dried foods to retain their quality. Avoid keeping your freeze-dried food in a hot place; instead, keep it in a cold, dry place. The ideal temperature range is 50–70°F (10–21°C) to keep the food in good health for a long time.

Shelf Life of Freeze-Dried Food After Opening The Pack

The food has a six—to twelve-month shelf life after you open it. This is because when you open the packet or cans, the food is prone to contact with the air, moisture, and other microbes in the surrounding environment. However, if stored properly, you can use the freeze-dried food for a long time. 

Signs of Bad Freeze-Dried Food

Freeze-dried food can change its color, taste, and even color and smell when it is going bad. This is usually the first sign that your freeze-dried food has been exposed to light, humidity, or moisture.

Some other typical signs of spoiling in freeze-dried food include being infected with mold or black patches, seeing liquid pour out, or sudden changes in color. If you see any of these signs, freeze-dried food should be discarded. Also, if the freeze-dried food isn't in an airtight container or seems damp when touched, it means that it has gone bad or is soon going to be. 

To many people’s surprise, even after the "best use by" date has passed, freeze-dried food can still be perfectly edible if stored properly. This is because there is no moisture, no microbes can develop, and no chemicals can react while it is stored.

Things To Do Before Storing Your Freeze-Dried Food

Make sure you follow these tips before storing your freeze-dried food for an extended period:

• Get Containers with Airtight Seals: Limiting the amount of oxygen that freeze-dried food comes into contact with is an important step in keeping it fresh. You can use mason jars or clear plastic bags.

• Use Only Clean, Dry Containers: Reusable Mason jars are great, but make sure the container is completely dry before you load your freeze-dried food in it.

• Keep Away from Stinky Foods: Freeze-dried foods are susceptible to odors, which can compromise their flavor and texture. To keep your freeze-dried foods tasting fresh, avoid chemicals, cleaning supplies, and even certain spices. 

Conclusion

Freeze drying reduces food's water content while preserving almost all of its nutritional value and structural integrity. Because of this, freeze-dried food has a very extended shelf life. In case of an emergency or when camping, freeze-dried food is a wonderful snack.