How long will canned foods last?
Dan Goodman
The Joy of Cooking has information on how long various canned (and
otherwise preserved) foods will last.
In article <32DE33...@msg.ti.com>, Marty Jones <mjo...@msg.ti.com> wrote:
>Bob Gilbert wrote:
>>
>> On Thu, 09 Jan 1997 12:58:26 -0500, "Rick C." <ri...@crosslink.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >Tammy Barette wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I was a little shocked to learn that MREs are expected to be usable for only
>> >> a 5-7 year period. I routinely keep store bought canned goods for more than
>> >> two years, regardless of their expiration date. So far I have never
>> >> encountered a bulging can or food which has a funny odor, and I have never
>> >> experienced food poisoning.
>> >> Just how long will a canned meat product stay fresh? Vegetable product?
>> >>
>> snip....snip....snip
>> >
>> >I hope to learn the answer too. I have a number of cans of different
>> >foods and am afraid to use them. I just stare at them in the cupboard. I
><snipped>
>
>I don't know the answer either, but I "can" relate
>what I've done. I do a lot of home canning, and
>routinely eat peppers, beans, turnip greens, and
>kale that is between one and two years old. These
>are pressure-canned in glass jars. The most
>common problem I have encountered is deterioration
>of the underside of the jar lids, as they sometimes
>begin to corrode with the peppers. I also can
>fruits and jellies, and routinely use them after
>a year. I have not personally eaten two-year-old
>home-canned goods. I also freeze home-grown
>tomatoes for use in sauces, and use them after a
>year or more.
>
>So I can't put an upper limit on the usability
>period, but I am confident it is more than one
>year and probably at least two. It may be five,
>but I wouldn't speculate. Anybody out there
>eating five-year-old home-canned?
>
>Best regards,
>
>Marty Jones
--
Dan Goodman
dsg...@visi.com
http://www.visi.com/~dsgood/index.html
Whatever you wish for me, may you have twice as much.
Teresa Olson
I think that canned goods keep indefinitely as long as the vacuum seal
is maintained. Using goods within two years, say, has more to do with
the nutritive value of foods and its palatability, which deteriorate
over time.
Teresa
justme
Teresa Olson <t...@cet.com> wrote:
That's always been my experience. We've eaten lots of canned stuff
that was older than 2 years, and never gotten sick, but haven't really
enjoyed the taste either.
As it just so happens, last night we ate some commercially canned red
beets that expired in '92. They had almost no flavor, and were a
little mushy. Other than that, they were OK, I guess, (if ya like
beets to start with).
As to the MRE's, I think that proper storage away from excessive heat
(nothing over 75F) is the key thing. Trouble is, that usually when you
get them you've got no idea how they were handled previously. I've had
some that were terrible shortly after the 'pull' date, and others that
were OK for another couple years. Just keep in mind, that unless you
can see the inspection and pull dates stamped on the box, that they
are at best to be considered only nutrious for a relatively short
time. For that reason, I've quit buying them altogether. Quality is
just too spotty for that amount of $$.
Mike.Schneider
> I think that canned goods keep indefinitely as long as the vacuum seal
> is maintained. Using goods within two years, say, has more to do with
> the nutritive value of foods and its palatability, which deteriorate
> over time.
>
> Teresa
Shelf life will improve markedly by keeping them stored at low
temperatures, such as around 45 degrees or so (temperature in a cave or
deep root celler). Light, especially direct sunlight, should be kept away
from jars.
Keep them dark and cool.
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