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Vacuum Packaging and Food Safety

The vacuum packaging process extends the 
life of foods by removing most of the air from 
the sealed container. This reduces oxidation, 
which affects nutritional value, flavour and 
overall quality.

Removing air can also inhibit growth of micro 
organisms, which can cause problems under 
certain conditions such as mould, yeast and 
bacteria.

IMPORTANT: Vacuum packaging is NOT a 
substitute for refrigeration or freezing

 

Any perishable foods that require refrigeration 
must still be refrigerated or frozen after 
vacuum packaging.

Thawing and Reheating Vacuum Packaged Foods

Always thaw foods in either refrigerator or 
microwave — do not thaw perishable foods at 
room temperature.

Reheating in a microwave

To reheat foods in a microwave in a 
FoodSaver

®

 Bag, always cut corner of the bag 

before placing it on a microwave-safe dish. 
However, to avoid hot spots, do not reheat 
bone-in meat or greasy foods in microwave 
within a FoodSaver

®

 Bag.

Reheating in water

You can also reheat foods in FoodSaver

®

 Bags 

by placing them in water at a low simmer 
below 75°C.

Vacuum Packaging Meat and Fish:

For best results, use a FoodSaver

®

 bag to 

vacuum seal before freezing.

For very moist meat or fish, place a folded 
paper towel in the bag, between meat/fish 
and top of bag, below seal area. Leave paper 
towel in bag to absorb excess moisture and 
juices during vacuum packaging process.

Note: 

Beef may appear darker after vacuum 

packaging due to the removal of oxygen. 
This is not an indication of spoilage.

Vacuum Packaging Hard Cheeses:

To keep cheese fresh, vacuum package it 
after each use. To continue using the same 
bag, when initially vacuum packaging the 
cheese, ensure the FoodSaver

®

 Bag is extra 

long. Allow one inch of bag material for each 
time you plan to open and reseal the bag in 
addition to the 7.5cm space you normally 
leave between contents and seal. Simply cut 
sealed edge and remove cheese prior to use. 
When you’re ready to repackage the cheese, 
just drop it in bag and reseal.

IMPORTANT: Due to the risk of anaerobic 
bacteria, Soft cheeses should never be vacuum 
packaged.

Guidelines for Vacuum Packaging 

Summary of Contents for FoodSaver Lock & Seal VS4500

Page 1: ...Home Vacuum Packaging System Lock Seal User Guide VS4500...

Page 2: ...Seal 3 Using your FoodSaver 5 Make a bag with FoodSaver rolls Vacuum seal with FoodSaver bags Vacuum seal with FoodSaver accessories Food Preparation Safety Tips 9 Care and Cleaning Instructions 10 Gu...

Page 3: ...perature of accessible surfaces may be high when the appliance is operating Never leave an appliance unattended while in use Do not use an appliance for any purpose other than its intended use Do not...

Page 4: ...illness do not reuse bags after storing meats fish or greasy foods 7 If you are not sure whether you have achieved a complete seal simply seal the bag again about 1cm above the first seal 8 Bulky ite...

Page 5: ...Easy clean Drip Tray G Vacuum Channel F Upper Foam Gasket I Lower Foam Gasket J Extra wide Sealing Strip K Handheld Sealer Use with zipper bags and con tainers ideal for fresh food and snacks E Access...

Page 6: ...has three uses 1 Press to create a seal when making bags from a FoodSaver Roll 2 Press to immediately stop the vacuum process and begin sealing the bag This prevents crushing delicate items such as br...

Page 7: ...nsert one end of bag material across Sealing Strip 3 Close lid and turn Easy Lock Latch to OPERATE position 4 Press Seal button 5 When Seal Indicator Light turns off sealing is complete Turn latch to...

Page 8: ...Seal Indicator Light turns off turn Latch to OPEN position lift lid and remove bag Refrigerate or freeze if needed See FoodSaver Storage Guide page 14 for safe food storage tips NOTE Let appliance coo...

Page 9: ...bulk To package a large number of bags at one time it is recommended to create bag place foods in bag vacuum seal repeat Following this process will prevent the appliance from overheating Make sure yo...

Page 10: ...o ensure a tight fit 3 Close lid rotate Latch to OPERATE position press Vacuum Seal Button 4 When motor and Indicator Light turn off vacuum process is complete Note that the appliance will still go th...

Page 11: ...ater sugar and a moderate temperature to grow and can grow with or without air Refrigeration slows the growth of yeast and freezing stops it completely Bacteria Frequently results in discolouration so...

Page 12: ...ods Do not reuse bags that have been microwaved or simmered FoodSaver Accessories 1 All FoodSaver accessories should be washed in warm water using a mild dishwashing soap Dry thoroughly before using 2...

Page 13: ...ag Reheating in water You can also reheat foods in FoodSaver Bags by placing them in water at a low simmer below 75 C Vacuum Packaging Meat and Fish For best results use a FoodSaver bag to vacuum seal...

Page 14: ...freezer only IMPORTANT Due to the risk of anaerobic bacteria Fresh mushrooms onions garlic should never be vacuum packaged Vacuum Packaging Leafy Vegetables For best results use a container to store l...

Page 15: ...aver vacuum packaging system also protects non food items from oxidation corrosion and moisture Simply follow the directions to vacuum package items using FoodSaver Bags Containers To vacuum package s...

Page 16: ...r Bag 2 3 years 8 months Broccoli Cauliflower Freezer FoodSaver Bag 2 3 years 8 months Cabbage Brussels Sprouts Freezer FoodSaver Bag 2 3 years 8 months Corn cob or kernel Freezer FoodSaver Bag 2 3 ye...

Page 17: ...Saver Bag Container 5 6 months Prepared Liquids Sauces Soups Stews Freezer FoodSaver Bag 1 2 years 3 6 months Bottled Liquids Wine Refrigerator FoodSaver Bottle Stopper 2 4 months 1 3 weeks Oils Pantr...

Page 18: ...e sure there is enough room at top of bag 7 5cm to fit to middle of drip tray with lid closed and latched Make sure accessory hose is not attached Make sure the lid is latched down all of the way Bag...

Page 19: ...uld sealing strip overheat and melt the bag it may be necessary to lift the lid and allow sealing strip to cool for a few minutes Built in safety shut off may shut the appliance off if it becomes over...

Page 20: ...Notes 18...

Page 21: ...Notes 19...

Page 22: ...20 Notes...

Page 23: ...w sunbeam com au 1300 881 861 Units 5 6 13 Lord Street Botany NSW 2019 Australia New Zealand www sunbeam co nz 0800 786 232 Level 6 Building 5 Central Park 660 670 Great South Road Greenlane Auckland...

Page 24: ...istributed by Need help with your appliance Contact our customer service team or visit our website for information and tips on getting the most from your appliance Australia visit www sunbeam com au p...

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