How Long Can Canned Food Last?

With its durability, canned food has become the go-to solution for people on the go who need to prepare a meal in the shortest amount of time. It is convenient to bring along for picnics or trips, and is especially ideal in emergency situations like storms, floods, power outages…

Canning is a great way to extend the shelf life of food, but the specific shelf life for each type of canned food is what often puzzles people.

How long can canned food last?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), most canned foods can last indefinitely as long as they are kept in their best quality condition (meaning no rust, major dents, bulging lids).

Mitzi Baum, a food safety expert and lecturer at the University of Michigan, explained that there is a lot of information printed on food cans, including production dates, manufacturing facility information, lot codes, as well as use by and sell by dates. However, use by and sell by dates usually refer to the period of time that a product maintains its best quality, freshness and flavor, not the length of time it is safe to eat.

Do you know how long each type of canned food can last? (Photo: The Daily Meal)

Canned foods may undergo changes in taste and texture over many years. The use by or sell by dates on the cans are to ensure quality, not safety.

In addition, canned foods, if kept for too long, may have reduced nutritional value. That’s why it is best to consume them within a certain period of time to ensure the highest quality.

So how long can canned food last if properly canned and optimally stored? According to Bryan Quoc Le, a food consultant and author of “150 Food Science Questions,” it depends on the type of food.

Canned foods with high acidity like tomatoes, fruits, and pickled foods have a shorter shelf life and usually maintain their best quality for 12 to 18 months. Canned foods with low acidity like meat and vegetables can be preserved for 2 to 5 years.

To answer the question of how long each type of canned food can last, you can refer to the following shelf life of some common products:

– Fruits (peaches, pears, apple pie filling): 12 to 18 months

– Tomatoes (whole, crushed, sauce): 12 to 18 months

– Pickles: 12 to 18 months

– Green beans, corn, green peas: 2 to 5 years

– Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, chickpeas: 2 to 5 years

– Soups (not tomato-based): 2 to 5 years

– Meat (spam, tuna, sausages): 2 to 5 years.

Is it safe to eat expired canned food?

Expired canned food may have reduced flavor and nutritional quality; however, consuming them does not pose any health risks as long as they are still in good condition.

Canned food is processed under aseptic conditions and vacuum sealed, preventing bacterial contamination, so they will not spoil. Just make sure that the canned food is not swollen, rusty, leaking, or dented and always store it in a dry, cool place to ensure safety.

The USDA advises against storing canned food in areas under sinks, above stoves, and in damp basements. Canned food should not be exposed to temperatures that are too high or too low as it may increase the risk of spoilage, bulging, and can damage the can.

Source: VTC news