Course:FNH200/Lessons/Lesson 08/Page 08.5

8.5 Packaging Requirements for Dehydrated Foods

Dehydrated foods, because of their low water activity, are hygroscopic (readily pick up moisture). The primary requirement that must be met by packaging material used with dehydrated foods is that there must be no transmission of water vapour from the surrounding environment into the food. Packaging should also protect against oxygen and light.

Many dried foods also require that the packaging material provide physical protection to prevent the food from becoming crushed during distribution and handling.

Want to learn more?

Take a look at dehydrated products in your kitchen cupboard or in the grocery store, and think about: what drying method(s) might have been used the effects of drying on the product properties, rate and ease of rehydration the type of packaging used and why?