Vacuum sealed foods = no bugs in rice?

[GreenOnions]

I haven't tried that but makes sense, anything that gets rid of the little critters.

[rockDAWG]

We eat jasmine rice from Thailand exclusively for last 40 years, never has any bugs problem. While they are not made or sold as sterile food product, I would not worry they will go bad when they store in a proper storage.

Vacuum packed the rice well in a small bag will ensure the rice can keep indefinitely - No air and moisture - no spores or eggs can grow even they are there.

In a recent trip to Bermuda, I prepared lot of cooked food and vacuum sealed by an industry grade vacuum sealer. The food was sealed while it still steaming hot. I then submerged the package into a dry ice/methanol slurry to instantly freeze the package.

The food survived for 14 days without any problem. The food was out without ice for 7 of the 14 days. I do not recommend other to do the same. It requires a formal training or at least a Grad level course microbiology.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by PaulfromNWOnt

I wonder if sealing it, and leaving it outside at 40 below for a few days would help. It's not -40 here yet, but it just occurred to me for the future.

Most the bacteria will survive under slow freezing. However, rapid heat and freeze cycle will rupture the cell wall of the bugs. That is how pasteurization works, but in a less extreme.

[PaulfromNWOnt]

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Most the bacteria will survive under slow freezing. However, rapid heat and freeze cycle will rupture the cell wall of the bugs. That is how pasteurization works, but in a less extreme.

Thank you sir. I may have to look into some form of canning of prepared food then.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by PaulfromNWOnt

Thank you sir. I may have to look into some form of canning of prepared food then.

I thought about canning too, but too much weight and trash generated. I will consider buying canned meat for long term emergency food source. But the vacuumed sealed package food (home made) will be consumed during the planned passage. My thinking is any of my ocean passage will be less than 14 days. Therefore without ice, I can able to eat like at home during my voyage at sea.

[aeventyr60]

Seems like the eggs like to live a long time and hatch just when you want to eat the stuff. Yes, a bay leaf or two would help. Have had some critters that bored their way through the ziplocks and the original packaging, I think those bugs were from OZ. The basics are available everywhere. Maybe more of the other stuff you like to eat would be a better way to provision. Real maple syrup, Genoa salami, peperoni, jalapeno peppers, cheese etc....