Why Bacon Packaging Isn't Usually Resealable
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For certain meat eaters, bacon is one of life's best little treats, offering up three of the five basic tastes (salty, umami, and sweet) in just one food. It can be made as a side, as a main dish, and even as a dessert. Bacon is simply delicious! And as BBC Future points out, the science backs this claim up. But if you like to buy bacon in bulk to keep on hand for days you just need some bacon to jazz up breakfast, add some fresh bacon to your dinner salad, or if you like bacon as a late-night snack (hey, it's keto-friendly), you probably already know one key downfall — most bacon doesn't come in resealable packages.
This poses a real problem if you open a package of bacon and only cook half of it. What do you do with the other half? If you are just as frustrated about not being able to seal the package again, you're not alone. Recently, marketing consultant Kat Thomas posted a video on her TikTok page calling out the bacon industry and calling for resealable packages. So, why isn't bacon already in resealable packaging?
How long does bacon last?
As BENSA points out, bacon is typically packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or shrink-wrapped plastic to extend its shelf life and maintain freshness. A resealable package would not provide the same level of protection and preservation as vacuum sealing or shrink-wrapping. Additionally, resealable packages often introduce more oxygen to the package, which can cause the bacon to spoil more quickly. This means that even if you put the bacon in another package, like a Ziploc bag or a Tupperware container, the chances of it going bad before you can use it are still high.
According to the USDA, you can save opened, uncooked bacon that has been stored in a container in the refrigerator for one week. Uncooked bacon can also be frozen and will last for four months. Per Coleman Natural Foods, once you've opened and cooked the bacon, it can last for about a week in the refrigerator, if you wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. You can freeze cooked bacon, too, and it will retain its flavor and texture for about a month.
Vacuum-sealing bacon can help it last longer
If you want to ensure that your bacon lasts longer than that, though, you can always vacuum seal any pieces you have left over. Amazon has many types of at-home sealing devices available for purchase. Vacuum sealing it, even after it's been opened from the original package, preserves the bacon for a bit longer because it removes all of the air from the package. This is also great for preventing freezer burn if you plan to freeze the bacon, and aids in maintaining the flavor and texture of the bacon. Per Healthline, vacuum-sealed bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month, or in the freezer for between six and eight months.
According to Can It Go Bad, you should discard bacon if it is discolored, such as if it looks "kind of brown or gray." You should also throw it out if it has a bitter or sour aroma, or if you see fuzz or mold growing on it. Finally, if your bacon has a slimy texture, it's bad and needs to be thrown out. Hopefully it won't come to that, considering that there are so many ways that people eat bacon around the world.