Long Term Emergency Food Storage

[Brian]

(6 October 2011, 20:39)boy scout Wrote: Mylar is so expensive...

Bottles it is, for now at least.

boy scout,

I read in James Wesley Rawles book on survival techniques that used milk containers are no good for storing food as the milk contaminates the plastic and then the bacteria leaches back into the food. He suggests new plastic seal-lid or glass if practical for you.

For rice I'm using the original 2kg plastic bags inside metal drums. I buy a few extra every now and again and then apply the FIFO principle to keep them fresh although I think they'd be OK for years like that.

Brian

[sc1]

Brian, interesting to hear that. I must look up that book. I buy 4kg bags, I have about 60kg of rice in total and I want to make sure it stays good. Most is still in the bags pending a better solution, with your advise in mind I need to get what I have in the milk containers out of them asap. Thankyou.

[Skean Dhude]

(7 October 2011, 08:34)Brian Wrote: I read in James Wesley Rawles book on survival techniques that used milk containers are no good for storing food as the milk contaminates the plastic and then the bacteria leaches back into the food

I've been thinking about this for while now since I read that in his book and it doesn't make any sense to me. I don't doubt that the fact is correct but what I wonder about is the time especially here in the UK.

Over here we get milk tankers going to a bottling plant, bottling upmilk and then sending to the supermarket. We buy it the next day or so and use it within a few days. We then wash it and use it for something else. Is 5 days or so enough time for this stuff to leech into the plastic long term?

I'm collecting the larger ones for water storage anyway. Perhaps I should get one of my water samples analysed and see what comes back.

[sc1]

Better safe than sorry. The last thing you will need is a dodgy stomach from drinking contaminated water.

[Skvez]

I doubt the milk container is any better for storing rice than the plastic bag that bulk rice tends to come in. Why bother transferring it?
The only reason to transfer it is if you want to transfer it to an oxygen-deprived environment to lengthen its survival (by asphyxiating any creatures that may be hiding in the rice). Opened milk bottles aren't air tight so they can't do this for you.

Leave it in the bag it came in, if you've not used it with a month or two of the use by date you can donate it to a homeless shelter and buy fresh. No-one will want your 'rice in a bilk bottle' donation.

[Terry]

The plastic leaching effect is argued about in prepping circles:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/articl...isphenol-a


Vs

http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/...ttles.html


Ter

[Skean Dhude]

I have no doubt that plastics can leech into the contents. However there are different plastics, those for foodstuffs and those not. I always use foodstuff grade for food and although I reuse my conditioner bottles, solid and tough, I don't use them for foodstuff or water even if I get them unused.

The fact they can break down in the microwave or dishwasher is easily solved. Don't put them in there.

[NorthernRaider]

(14 September 2011, 10:31)Brian Wrote: One of the main problems preppers face with food provisions is shelf life. A lot depends on the BO or BI approach chosen as this affects the volume and weight of the stores we can practically have on hand or take with us and therefore determines the type of food we put aside.

Brian

This may help


So you’ve followed the emergency preparedness guidance of the experts by stocking up on food storage for yourself and your family. No matter what the future brings, your outlook is bright because you know you’re ready for even the direst times. But how long will your preparation efforts last? Do they have an expiration date? There are varying points of view on this topic, but the short answer is your food storage will have a “sustain life” shelf life of at least 20 years.
There are many conflicting opinions on this issue. The main problem with the lack of expiration date consistency is there are different levels of food expiration. When your food is used within the “best if used by” range, you will experience its full taste and nutritional value. When your food is stored longer, chemical changes can occur. Over time, minerals and carbohydrates in food do not transform much. Proteins and fats, however, can deteriorate in quality and cause off-tasting food. Vitamins are also susceptible to heat, light, and oxygen destruction.
Calorie intake is the most important life sustaining factor. Because calories do not mutate or fade drastically over time, the life of food storage products has more than one level.
If you want your food storage to have the best taste and highest nutrients, it is recommended that most items be used within 2-5 years. However, if you plan to use your food storage to sustain life, many items can last up to 20+ years. Once opened, most foods should be used within 6-18 months. However, many opened foods can remain life sustaining for up to 5 years if they are kept well covered and stored in a cool, dry area.
Please see the table below for our “best if used by” recommendations.
Product Optimum Shelf Life Opened Shelf Life
Grains
Whole Wheat Flour 5 years 6-8 months
White Flour 5 years 6-8 months
Hard White Winter Wheat 12 years 3 years
6 Grain Pancake Mix 8 years 1 year
Spaghetti 10 years 2 years
Egg Noodle Pasta 2 years 6 months to 1 year
Quick Oats 8 years 1 year
White Rice 30 years Indefinite
Pearled Barley 8 years 18 months
Cornmeal 5 years 1 year
9 Grain Cracked Cereal 15 years 1 year
Elbow Macaroni 8 years 2 years
Germade 5 years 18 months
Vegetables
Potato Pearls 30 Years 2 years
Bell Peppers 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Mushroom Pieces 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Potato Chunks 12 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Corn 7 years 18 months
Tomato Powder 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Potatoes 8 years 6 months
Green Peas 7 years 1 year
Cauliflower 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Carrot Dices 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Broccoli 10 years 1 year
Celery 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Spinach 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Onions 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Fruits
Pineapple 7 years 1 year
Peach Slices 7 years 1 year
Rasbperries 8 years 1 year
Strawberries 8 years 1 year
Blueberries 8 years 1 year
Applesauce 7 years 6 months (refrigerated)
Apple Slices 30 years Indefinite
Banana Slices 5 years 1 year
Blackberries 8 years 1 year
Dairy
Instant Milk 20 years 6 months
Chocolate Drink Mix 20 years 6 months
Cheese Powder 15 years 6 months
Meats and Beans
Small White Navy Beans 10 years 5 years
Small Red Beans 10 years 5 years
Sloppy Joe TVP 10 years 1 year
Whole Eggs 5 years 6 months
Taco TVP 10 years 1 year
Sausage TVP 10 years 1 year
Pinto Beans 10 years 5 years
Chicken TVP 10 years 1 year
Beef TVP 10 years 1 year
Ham TVP 10 years 1 year
Kidney Beans 10 years 5 years
Lima Beans 10 years 5 years
Lentils 10 years 5 years
Bacon TVP 10 years 1 year
Basics
Butter Powder 5 years 2 years
Orange Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Iodized Salt Indefinite 2 years
Chicken Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Peach Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
White Sugar Indefinite 2 years
Powdered Sugar Indefinite 12 to 18 months
Baking Soda Indefinite Indefinite
Apple Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Baking Powder Indefinite Indefinite
Beef Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Brown Sugar 6 months 3 months
To maximize the taste, nutritional value, and shelf life of your food storage, follow these tips:
• Keep cans open for the least amount of time possible.
• To maximize freshness, keep oxygen absorbers in your opened cans.
• Scoop food out of your cans instead of pouring. Doing this will limit oxygen intake.
• Reseal your opened cans with their plastic coverings.
• Store your food in a dark, dry, cool place (a garage or cold storage area is highly recommended).
• Limit your opened cans’ contact with humidity.

[bigpaul]

from what i've read on the subject, most of it has an American slant to it so you have to Anglesize it a bit, but the general thinking is that you have enough food (for everyone in your family/group) to last 1 year, after that you should be living on what you have grown yourself and the meat from any animals you are breeding + some hunting and foraging if possible as well.

[Ellen]

(26 October 2011, 11:02)NorthernRaider Wrote:

(14 September 2011, 10:31)Brian Wrote: One of the main problems preppers face with food provisions is shelf life. A lot depends on the BO or BI approach chosen as this affects the volume and weight of the stores we can practically have on hand or take with us and therefore determines the type of food we put aside.

Brian

This may help


So you’ve followed the emergency preparedness guidance of the experts by stocking up on food storage for yourself and your family. No matter what the future brings, your outlook is bright because you know you’re ready for even the direst times. But how long will your preparation efforts last? Do they have an expiration date? There are varying points of view on this topic, but the short answer is your food storage will have a “sustain life” shelf life of at least 20 years.
There are many conflicting opinions on this issue. The main problem with the lack of expiration date consistency is there are different levels of food expiration. When your food is used within the “best if used by” range, you will experience its full taste and nutritional value. When your food is stored longer, chemical changes can occur. Over time, minerals and carbohydrates in food do not transform much. Proteins and fats, however, can deteriorate in quality and cause off-tasting food. Vitamins are also susceptible to heat, light, and oxygen destruction.
Calorie intake is the most important life sustaining factor. Because calories do not mutate or fade drastically over time, the life of food storage products has more than one level.
If you want your food storage to have the best taste and highest nutrients, it is recommended that most items be used within 2-5 years. However, if you plan to use your food storage to sustain life, many items can last up to 20+ years. Once opened, most foods should be used within 6-18 months. However, many opened foods can remain life sustaining for up to 5 years if they are kept well covered and stored in a cool, dry area.
Please see the table below for our “best if used by” recommendations.
Product Optimum Shelf Life Opened Shelf Life
Grains
Whole Wheat Flour 5 years 6-8 months
White Flour 5 years 6-8 months
Hard White Winter Wheat 12 years 3 years
6 Grain Pancake Mix 8 years 1 year
Spaghetti 10 years 2 years
Egg Noodle Pasta 2 years 6 months to 1 year
Quick Oats 8 years 1 year
White Rice 30 years Indefinite
Pearled Barley 8 years 18 months
Cornmeal 5 years 1 year
9 Grain Cracked Cereal 15 years 1 year
Elbow Macaroni 8 years 2 years
Germade 5 years 18 months
Vegetables
Potato Pearls 30 Years 2 years
Bell Peppers 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Mushroom Pieces 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Potato Chunks 12 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Corn 7 years 18 months
Tomato Powder 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Sweet Potatoes 8 years 6 months
Green Peas 7 years 1 year
Cauliflower 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Carrot Dices 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Broccoli 10 years 1 year
Celery 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Spinach 7 years 6 months to 1 year
Onions 8 years 6 months to 1 year
Fruits
Pineapple 7 years 1 year
Peach Slices 7 years 1 year
Rasbperries 8 years 1 year
Strawberries 8 years 1 year
Blueberries 8 years 1 year
Applesauce 7 years 6 months (refrigerated)
Apple Slices 30 years Indefinite
Banana Slices 5 years 1 year
Blackberries 8 years 1 year
Dairy
Instant Milk 20 years 6 months
Chocolate Drink Mix 20 years 6 months
Cheese Powder 15 years 6 months
Meats and Beans
Small White Navy Beans 10 years 5 years
Small Red Beans 10 years 5 years
Sloppy Joe TVP 10 years 1 year
Whole Eggs 5 years 6 months
Taco TVP 10 years 1 year
Sausage TVP 10 years 1 year
Pinto Beans 10 years 5 years
Chicken TVP 10 years 1 year
Beef TVP 10 years 1 year
Ham TVP 10 years 1 year
Kidney Beans 10 years 5 years
Lima Beans 10 years 5 years
Lentils 10 years 5 years
Bacon TVP 10 years 1 year
Basics
Butter Powder 5 years 2 years
Orange Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Iodized Salt Indefinite 2 years
Chicken Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Peach Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
White Sugar Indefinite 2 years
Powdered Sugar Indefinite 12 to 18 months
Baking Soda Indefinite Indefinite
Apple Drink 3 years 6 months to 1 year
Baking Powder Indefinite Indefinite
Beef Bouillon 2 years 6 months
Brown Sugar 6 months 3 months
To maximize the taste, nutritional value, and shelf life of your food storage, follow these tips:
• Keep cans open for the least amount of time possible.
• To maximize freshness, keep oxygen absorbers in your opened cans.
• Scoop food out of your cans instead of pouring. Doing this will limit oxygen intake.
• Reseal your opened cans with their plastic coverings.
• Store your food in a dark, dry, cool place (a garage or cold storage area is highly recommended).
• Limit your opened cans’ contact with humidity.

I think that a lot of common sense will prevail over food storage. Even though there are these guidelines for lenth of storage that does not mean that some time cannot be added or taken from this list. But we do have to follow senseable care with out foods.

---

(8 October 2011, 17:09)Skean Dhude Wrote:

(7 October 2011, 08:34)Brian Wrote: I read in James Wesley Rawles book on survival techniques that used milk containers are no good for storing food as the milk contaminates the plastic and then the bacteria leaches back into the food

I've been thinking about this for while now since I read that in his book and it doesn't make any sense to me. I don't doubt that the fact is correct but what I wonder about is the time especially here in the UK.

Over here we get milk tankers going to a bottling plant, bottling upmilk and then sending to the supermarket. We buy it the next day or so and use it within a few days. We then wash it and use it for something else. Is 5 days or so enough time for this stuff to leech into the plastic long term?

I'm collecting the larger ones for water storage anyway. Perhaps I should get one of my water samples analysed and see what comes back.