What is Mylar?
Mylar is made up of plastic and aluminum foil. The material is very flexible and light weight. It comes in different sizes, thicknesses, and colors, and is used for a variety of products. The most popular is for food packaging, but it is also used in mylar balloons (the shiny ones), and in emergency blankets.
Why Use Mylar Anyways?
Mylar bags are popular for food storage because of their durability and longevity. Mylar keeps out air and light. It’s much better than simply vacuum sealing, and mylar is much much better than using. In terms of keeping out oxygen, according to some studies, mylar is more than 4000% effective than the plastic alternatives. The metallic film in the mylar is also both reflective and opaque, so it keeps out the light. Both of these properties make it better than food grade plastic, glass, or most other storage options. But are mylar bags safe?
Things People are Concerned About With Mylar Bag Safety
BPA In Mylar?
The bisphenol-A scare is still fresh in our minds, and rightly so. In a large number of studies, the chemical has been associated with health problems ranging from cancer to reproductive issues. However, those studies have focused on BPA in the form of plastic bottles and sippy cups. The same chemical is contained in some metal cans and other containers, but not all.
In the case of mylar bags, consumers can be assured that they are safe for food storage because they contain no BPA. Instead of BPA, mylar bags are lined with a food-grade polymer called polyethylene (PE). PE has been used in food packaging since the 1940s and is considered safe for direct contact with foods by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is the Metal in Mylar Toxic?
No, and even if it was, its coated in plastic, so your food is not in contact with the metal. Additionally, the metal is an aluminum foil. While there has been studies linking some aluminum to Alzheimer’s, the link is minor, and aluminum foil is still used and approved. And again, its also covered in plastic, so you’re not coming in direct contact with the metal.
What about oxygen absorbers?
The tiny packets that many people keep in their home food storage often have “DO NOT EAT” on them, but they’re actually completely safe to eat (with one major exception).
The material inside the packets is iron powder, and while it’s not particularly tasty, it won’t make you sick. The main reason the packets say “do not eat” is because they’re choking hazards; if you put one in your mouth and swallow it without chewing, it could stick to your throat or get stuck in your windpipe. Since they’re small enough to be swallowed whole by infants and small children, they have the warning label so parents will keep them away from kids.
Are Mylar Bags Toxic?
Perhaps if you try to eat the bag itself, but using a mylar bag is not toxic. In summary, not only are mylar bags safe, they’re also extremely effective for storing food storage. If you’re just getting started with mylar bags, we recommend starting with this multipack that comes with multiple sizes, and oxygen absorbers as well.
Premount 100 Mylar Bags With Oxygen Absorbers
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Using Mylar Bags
Sealing a mylar bag is done by melting and fusing the plastic on the two sides of the bag together, which can be done with your clothes iron or a hair flat iron. You don’t even need a fancy machine to use it, but it does take some preparation, and you want to make sure you do it right so in an emergency you’re not in trouble trying to rely on your food storage, and find out you did it wrong and its ruined. For more information, you can see our article on Sealing Mylar with an Iron.
