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Food Storage Pouches vs Cans
One question we get about food storage is regarding the differences between pouches and cans. We wanted to dive into some of the differences between the two packaging options. Comment below to tell us what you think and share your opinion about the differences between pouches and cans.
Shelf Life
For years, it was believed that pouches had a shorter shelf life than cans. However, recent research is showing that this isn’t necessarily true.
Recently, 30-year-old food from pouches was put through a taste test vs 1-year-old pouched food product. Participants were asked to rank a variety of different meals on a scale of 1 – 10, 1 being “Disliked Extremely” and 9 being “Liked Extremely.” 30-year-old food scored considerably high compared to the new food:
As you can see, there was only a slight taste loss after 30 years. The 30-year-old pouch scored a 6.8 out of 9 on the taste test while the 1-year-old pouch scored an average of 8.5. However, the pouch foods were still safe to eat a whole three decades later!
Many food storage companies will throw a blanket statement on their pouches saying that they have a 25 year shelf life. However, you need to be careful that the pouch products you are considering have high-quality components that will ensure a long shelf life. For example, your pouch should:
Have an oxygen absorber. Moisture and oxygen are the two major factors of decreasing shelf life. We’ve noticed that some pouch manufacturers don’t even have oxygen absorbers in them at all, instead opting for far less reliable nitrogen flushing that has proven less reliable at removing oxygen.
“For proper long-term food storage, it’s important to maintain oxygen exposure as low as possible,” said Lee Goin, of Columbia Food Laboratories. “Oxygen causes nutritional value to be lost – especially vitamins A, C, D and E.”
Be stored correctly. In order to obtain maximum shelf life, the pouches need to be stored correctly. That means you’ll need to store them in a cool location – preferably at 70-75 degrees or lower. The location will also need to be dry.
Use thick metalized bags. You’ll notice that bag thickness will vary by company. A 4 mil thick bag is going to outperform a 1-2 mil bag and make a huge difference in the durability and shelf-life of the food. Thinner bags will not keep the oxygen out, resulting in spoilage.
Storing vs Eating On-the-Go
When comparing food storage cans and pouches, one of the major differences is how they store. The typical food storage can measures 5.5” by 6” by 7”. While it is larger, the metal walls of the can will provide ultimate protection from puncturing.On the other hand, pouches are smaller, and can take up considerable less space due to their ability to mold to the shape of their surroundings. Of course storing them in a durable container isn’t a bad idea as it will help protect the pouch from abuse.
Dishes vs No Dishes
Since food storage #10 cans are intended for bulk storage, you’ll be using plates and bowls to cook and eat. The pouches on the other hand, are designed to be their own dish. All you have to do is add hot water to the pouch and mix it. You won’t have to spend time cleaning your pots and pans after the meal is over.
Lightweight vs Servings
Food storage cans are larger by nature, often carrying up to 30+ servings in some cases. While they provide a great value, they lack some flexibility when compared to pouches. For example, a pouch will fit efficiently inside of a survival bag. The smaller overall servings and light food (by nature of the preservation processes) mean they are much easier to pack around when you need to move your food from one spot to another.
What do you think?
Have you tried food storage in pouches before? Do you prefer to have you food storage in cans or pouches? Comment below to tell us your opinion.
So happy that Saratoga Farms foods are now available in pouches that will last in long-term storage. I was concerned about having to load-up and move-out lots of cases of #10 cans, if the need ever arises. I love the flexiblity they will bring to moving my rations. I also like the idea of not having to open several #10 cans to prepare a simple meal. Now, all I need is a Kelly Kettle. I will start stocking up on these rations right away.
November 23rd, 2012 at 7:16 pm@Cliff. Thanks! We’re pretty excited about them too!
November 23rd, 2012 at 7:29 pmWhat I would like to know is this. Are your foods GMO free MSSG free Sorbitol and aspertine free as I am highly allergic to those ingredients. Also, do any of your products contain high frutose corn syrup?
November 24th, 2012 at 6:37 amI have a lot of canned goods but am interested in the pasta meals, the soups, butter and honey and the kettle for cooking. How many of the starters for the Kettle do you think one might need for about 3 months?
s.o.s.
i like to get the most for my money so can you tell me how big of a difference is there in cost per serving from cans to pouches???
November 24th, 2012 at 6:41 amAs part of my preparation plans I do not consider it an “either/or” decision but a balance of “both”.
In my “Bug Out” pack I have pouches/MRE’s and in my “Bug In” storage I have cans. Even in the event that I choose to “Bug In” there may come a time where I need to make a short trip out and I will have the pouches/MRE’s to take with me.
It is the Boy Scout in me – “Be Prepared”.
November 24th, 2012 at 8:10 amI avoided the pouches because of their short shelf life. I will now start adding them too.
November 24th, 2012 at 8:11 amIn my bug out bag pouches work best. However you still need a larger supply placed in different locations. Bugging out is the last option on my list but depending on the area you live in, that may be your first option is to get out of the city. Having a supply is better than having a demand for what you will need. So buy big & seal it yourself it cost less.
November 24th, 2012 at 9:11 amUp to now I had been purchasing my food storage in the #10 cans…but with this new information I will be ordering my food storage. GREAT IDEA!
November 24th, 2012 at 9:24 amI will now be ordering my food storage in pouches from now on . I have food storage in #10 cans and some MREs plus other necessary items for survival if necessary which include the 2 seed banks whixch are in my freezer but if I hear the feds will be looking for seeds …I will bury therm. The seeds are enclosed in Plastic and water proof..no government metal detector will ever find them and
November 24th, 2012 at 9:28 amin the writeup, advice is given to use a supplier that has Oxygen Absorber vs just nitrogen flushing.
November 24th, 2012 at 9:32 amWhere is this information listed? Do you recommend any of your products which have this feature?
My husband is a meat, potatoes, corn man. He will try other veges but not many but I love all veges so the pouch is best for us. Also only two in home. A regular can in store of veges (even corn) we will eat most but throw out the rest so very wasteful but with pouches I can use what we eat. I have a two month menu and know exactly what we need.
November 24th, 2012 at 9:45 amplease ignre my last comment I really though you were referring also to veges in a pouch, but no. I really need smaller portins and especially veges in a pouch or it is a waste.
November 24th, 2012 at 10:03 amI aso like the pouches, however for meats I choose
November 24th, 2012 at 11:16 amcans from such as yoders or Keystone meats.
I do however store the pouches in lidded buckets or bins, something that varmints cannot cannot get into.
The pouches are more efficient for smaller groups – 1-4 or so.
The cans are handier for large groups.
for a small group to open a can really limits variety.
Since I am the only one here, with a possibilty of 3 more, the pouches are easier to plan for.
November 24th, 2012 at 11:20 am@Norman All of the Saratoga Farms and Mountain House products that we carry at The Ready Store come with oxygen absorbers.
November 24th, 2012 at 11:45 am@Suzanne. I’ve forwarded your question to one of our ReadyExperts along with your email and they should get back to you as soon as possible.
November 24th, 2012 at 11:47 amWow, burying seeds so the Feds can’t get them? That is off the charts crazy but I mostly wanted to say that if you cut those large mylar bags into fourths you can put ‘meals in a jar’ food in them and seal away. At least you use up your #10 cans this way and you don’t have all the cruddy preservatives, msg etc… to worry about. Check online for recipes you just add water to.
November 24th, 2012 at 11:51 amI avoided dehydrated food all together, as #10 cans just seemed to be to big for a family of 4, and thought pounches had a short shelf life. Now, I know I can stock up on pouches an #10 cans for key bulk items, we may have to rethink our storage plans.
Question, how do people manage the life of contents, once you open a #10 can?
November 24th, 2012 at 12:26 pmI was thinking pouchs were more convenient than cans but cans could have other uses also
November 24th, 2012 at 2:35 pmDo you hav Type 2 diabies menues in pouches>
November 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pmI am pouches for my bug out. Home in cans. Pouches of starkist tuna are portable, and I do not eat red meat unless I have to. I have MRE’S, powdered eggs. Dried jerkey and fruits. I have added in a multi- vitamin as well. If I have it carry and go, I have to able to carry all my other things that are equally important. I rely on sardines as well. I have given up “fancy” for survival.
November 25th, 2012 at 11:49 amWhat is a Kelly Kettle?
November 25th, 2012 at 11:55 amI’m looking for meals in pouches that are Vegetarian & GM, Gluten, Dairy free. Can you supply?
November 25th, 2012 at 12:27 pmJason, You asked <>
I have read that once a #10 can is opened, it should be used up within a year. So if the emergency will continue for a while, I would plan to eat that food again later in the week, then the following week (even if things went back to normal).
To keep it from being contaminated by multiple people helping themselves to the can, I would be prepared with zip lock baggies and re-package the can contents into baggies when I open the can. Put enough in each baggie for what would be cooked/ re-hydrated at a time. (Be sure you label the baggies with its contents and expiration date.)
November 25th, 2012 at 5:59 pmI have over 100 #10′s and a couple hundred pouches too from mountain house. We grow our own veggies and fruits and have a 500 gallon fresh water reserve along with a 20kw lpg/ng generator that powers the entire home and more. In the process of setting up my very own solar backup system complete with a 12 battery/6 panal array.
Gots self protection firearms and ammo also just to be on the safe side. My friend owns a gunshop and made a point that stuck… You can have lots of food but if you cant protect it the guy with the guns will have it instead.
Growing Moringa trees also. (Super Food)
November 26th, 2012 at 12:34 amWow…Suzanne asked such important questions. Please share here and not to her inbox only. Bless you.
November 26th, 2012 at 2:24 am@Jason Chris’s recommendation of ziplock bags is a great idea. You can also use Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to parcel out your food.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:26 am@RevMack Indeed. We’re looking into getting more information to answer that question. We’ll let you know when we get an answer for you.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:40 am@Shirley The Kelly Kettle is a great outdoor stove that heats up quickly and only uses a few sticks and twigs to heat. It can boil 55 oz of water in a few minutes. You can read more about it here.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:45 amSorry @Paul. At the moment these meals are not certified for Type 2 Diabetes. Since the meals are prepared as normal and then freeze-dried; if you are OK eating that meal normally, it should be OK coming out of a pouch too. You can also check out the “Nutrition & Ingredients” panel on any of our product pages and that will tell you what is contained inside the pouch. I hope that helps.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:52 amGood question @Norman! Many times the supplier will advertise this on the outside of their pouch. At The Ready Store, all food products include an oxygen absorber. However, with other companies, you may need to call and ask a customer service rep if they don’t advertise it.
You can also tell many times by handling the bag. If it feel like it still has a bunch of air in it, it usually means that there is no oxygen absorber inside.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:56 amHey @Tim,
Here is the report for the pouches:
Sweet & Sour Stir Fry – Vegetarian, Lactose Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
November 26th, 2012 at 11:33 amLasagna – Vegetarian, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Pasta Parmesan Alfredo – Vegetarian, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Chili Mac – Vegetarian, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Mountain Man Stew – Vegetarian, Lactose Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Rice & Chicken – Lactose Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Bacon Potato Chowder – Vegetarian, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Granola with Milk & Blueberries – Vegetarian, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Peanut Free
Orange Drink Mix – Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Soy Free, Peanut Free
Fruit Punch Sports Drink Mix – Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free, Soy Free, Peanut Free
I also have a question about all this that is seldom answered. Many of these products either in cans or pouches, are made by the same company then relabeled by someone else. I think this is true when you buy a non mixed product like eggs or milk. Could anyone answer this or prove it not to be true?
November 26th, 2012 at 7:04 pmI like the idea of having both Cans and Pouches. Pouches & MREs are really convenient, light weight and EZ to bug out with (if necessary). The cans are great to have for the house. and.. As everyone knows water is the key to survival. So, I hope that everyone is storing water in one way or the other (and it doesn’t hurt to have a water purification system).
November 26th, 2012 at 9:42 pmCompare net contents then do the math vs cost. You actually need a good supply of both cans and pouches…pouches for advantage bags (bug out/get home, etc.) and #10 cans for base camp. I have at least 2.5 yrs of both for me and wife plus a good supply of MRE’s. Equally I have cases of canned goods and mermite cans to load out freezer into in case of evacuation. My plan is based on first use food, second use, etc. My personal preference is Mountain House brand, as they have more meaty meals and the flavor is better. Save your pouches and repack them from cans for short term missions (hunting/security duty) once you’ve reached base camp.
November 27th, 2012 at 5:50 amI recently read on another site that once the Mountain House #10 cans are opened it should be consumed within the week.
Could someone please explain what the proper way to use the #10 cans once they are opened?
Thank you.
Ellen
November 27th, 2012 at 11:30 pmHey Ellen, on the side of each Mountain House can it recommends that the contents be eaten as soon as possible after opening. They give a conservative estimate that just with the plastic lid the contents can be consumed within a week. However, personally, I’ve had products that have been open for a month with just the plastic lid.
If a can from our warehouse gets dented, we’ll open it up and put it in the break room. I’ve eaten foods there – that tasted great – that have been in the break room for a few months. The longer the food is open, the more nutrition the freeze-dried food will lose. So, it is ideal to eat them as soon as possible, but you can also eat them for a couple months after opening.
We’ve also had a lot of customers who buy Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Once they open the can, they poor the contents into a bag and place an oxygen absorber inside – essentially trying to savor the freshness. That might be an option for you. t
November 28th, 2012 at 9:51 amI noticed in your reply to Tim that only the drink mixes were “soy free.” Does that mean all the rest contain soy products? I am allergic to soy.
December 3rd, 2012 at 12:39 amI store buckets, cans and pouches. Buckets are less expensive per portion but harder to move/prepare while pouches are more expensive but easier to move/prepare. The Saratoga brand offers quality & variety of pouches. I have made pouches using both my home vacuum sealer & mylar bags for camping. I have found the 2 portion pouch size easier to pack and allows for smaller portions to be prepared in the pouch. 4 portion is great if you have a larger group.
December 4th, 2012 at 7:22 amThis is quiet a different story from when I bought a large box-full of variety pouches from you folks. You stated that the pouches were only good for 6 months. Well a year later I opened one of the rice with pork pouches and prepared it as instructed and the pork refused to absorb the water and it was like chewing on hard leather. Needless to say I threw the contents away and the entire box worth $100s. Now this was only 1 year from purchase and to be fair you did tell me they were only good for six months so I had nothing to complain about but now you are saying that the same pouches 30 years later are suitable to eat?
This is very surprising to hear from you folks and sounds a bit dubious to say the least considering what you told me and what I personally experienced and I would warn anyone to be very cautious about your claims.
I have purchased my storage food ONLY from the Ready Store but now this worries me.
December 5th, 2012 at 4:59 amYou have lost my trust.
@Bob,
Sorry, I’m not sure what happened with your pouches previously. Thanks for talking with us on the phone about your experience. As we discussed, we found a pouch we had in our personal supply that was 3 years old and tested it out. You can view the video here: YouTube – Customer Response – Quality of 3 Year Old Mountain House Pouch
That was not a normal experience to have with the pouches and we apologize for the inconvenience. We’ll be sending you some pouches in place of the ones you lost.
December 7th, 2012 at 10:59 amNewbie to prepping. If I get a few 2 or 4 serving pouch, can I pour one serving in a pot and reseal the rest? If so, how long will it last?
Please bear my ignorance on the subject. Lots of reading and catching up to do to keep learning.
December 15th, 2012 at 9:45 amI will say that for longer term preparation, I would go with cans, as in a disaster, one expects a rodent problem. Rodents (rats) can eat through almost anything- we had a rat problem once. They even ate through the hard plastic rims on the stainless steel trash can, didn’t manage to make it into the can, but still.
December 15th, 2012 at 8:19 pm@JC Good question. You can reseal the rest. It should last a few weeks if stored correctly. Just as long as you keep it dry, cold and out of sunlight.
December 15th, 2012 at 8:57 pmWell, after several days of reading, looks like the best way to approach this is a mix of food storage. So far this is my line of thought.
MREs – 3 on each of our backpacks
MREs – Box 24 entrees. No water needed but heavy!
Pouches Buckets – Many servings in lightweight and easy to transport. Need water
Cans – Best protection and longer storage time overall, water needed and not easy transport.
Although I understand many are preparing for an emergency hoping their homes are still secure, I am inclined more towards a flood or home destroyed scenario, where I need mobility and water/food for a family of four.
Perhaps approach/vision is incorrect,but I am certainly interested in learning. Also, I assume those with over a year worth of food has done so over a few of prepping? (Depending on the budget of course)
December 20th, 2012 at 10:29 amI like options and back up plans; so I have short-term & long-term storage – some #10 cans, some pouches, loads of canned goods, pastas, beans, rice. My hubby is very picky about the “Best By” dates; so I organize and do FIFO ( 1st in, 1st out ); if the date gets close to passing the “Best By” date, then I load up the food and take it to the local food bank ( they are MOST appreciative, even if the date has slightly passed ), and then I restock ( checking the local groceries’ “loss leader” sales for the best sales prices ). Yes, I know the BB date does not mean that the food is bad and no longer nutritious, but hubby is not convinced ( even after some of our Alaska friends told us that they’ve eaten salmon that had been canned for 20 years that was still good ).
I recently ordered 4 mil mylar bags in various sizes & oxygen absorbers and plan to transfer most of my dry goods to the bags & then label & store them in buckets – or when I open a #10 can, I can transfer the unused portion of the can to an appropriately sized mylar bag. MylarPro has a great video on how to fill & seal mylar bags, as well as excellent FAQ’s on them that should answer thoroughly just about anyone’s questions about mylar. [ ReadyStore, you are really GREAT and my most preferred "go to" supplier, but if there is something I want that is not available here ( like various sizes in mylar bags vs only 20"X30" bags or KI03 Potassium Iodate tablets - I know you carry KI, but my research indicates that KI03 is much more preferable ), I source things elsewhere, but I ALWAYS check you first! ]
In case of disaster, we will bug in ( with ample protection from looters ) as our first option, but if we have to bug out and with enough advance time, we have extra gas for our Suburban & pickup, & a 20′ enclosed trailer, & our storage and emergency supplies will go with us. If there is no time, then we will grab our BOB’s ( for any complete newbies that’s Bug Out Bags, good for about 72 hours/3 days )or our INCH’s ( bags for I’m Never Coming Home )and head out. Hope and pray for the best but always be prepared for the worst …
February 27th, 2013 at 1:18 pm@California Mama Bear
Thanks for checking with us! We really appreciate your loyalty! I’m going to pass those product ideas on to our new product department to let them know what you think. We love the idea. If you ever have any other ideas for new products, we’d love to hear about them. Visit this link: http://www.thereadystore.com/new-product-request
February 27th, 2013 at 2:56 pm