How Long Does Freeze Dried Food Last?

The short answer: 25 to 30 years

The longer answer: Storage, temperature, oxygen, and light all play a role in preserving freeze-dried food.

• Storage
The way you store food is the key to preserving it. Utilization of mylar bags (with a high enough mil spec) or sealed jars is key. Best practices are to store food in a dark area with the temperature staying at or below 72 degrees. I like storage bins because it keeps pests away and keeps the food safe from light exposure.

• Temperature
Temperature can play a big factor, as higher temperatures over time can shorten the shelf life of freeze-dried food. While freeze-dried food does not support bacterial growth without moisture, excess heat can still degrade food quality, especially in raw foods and foods that contain fats. Keeping food stored in cooler, stable temperatures helps preserve both shelf life and quality.

• Oxygen
Oxygen is also huge. Use oxygen absorbers and make sure the CC number is high enough that it will remove all the oxygen from the mylar bag or jar. Many of our 5x8 mylar bags use 300 to 500 cc oxygen absorbers, but if you have a 5-gallon mylar bag, for example, you might need around 2,500 cc oxygen absorbers. Drier climates also help with freeze-dried foods. In the Pacific Northwest, we have a humid climate, and the air contains moisture that will rehydrate food fairly quickly if left out of its storage bag or jar.

• Light
Lastly, light exposure can degrade freeze-dried foods over time. You want to keep items in darker areas or places that are not used a lot to keep light away from the food.