When you need to make a quick meal but don't have time to run out to the store, having a stash of canned goods on hand can rescue the day. Branded and high-quality canned veggies like green beans, maize, and canned tomatoes provide a nutritious and delicious alternative to fresh produce. It's natural to question how long canned food lasts and if it's safe to consume after the sell-by date has passed if you discover a few cans that have passed their prime in your pantry. Have no fear; we have the information you need to confidently reach for the can of beans in your cupboard. Do you wonder how long various foods will remain in the fridge or freezer? All the solutions are here.
The reality about canned goods is shocking, and it will relieve the stress of needing to use up and replenish all your emergency food supply within a year or two. The USDA says that as long as you keep your food in good shape, you can keep it on the shelf forever. It indicates that the can must be free of rust, major dents, or swelling. Canned food's shelf life can be shortened by several factors, including the food's acidity. But as a general rule, you can assume that more acidic foods will spoil more quickly than low-acid canned meals. But that doesn't mean the food will still taste and feel the same long after its expiration date has passed.
Here are a few things to bear in mind while handling canned foods.
Date of expiry
Changes in flavour and texture are inevitable in the long-term storage of many canned goods. Despite their appearance, the "use-by" or "best-by" dates on canned goods are unrelated to food safety. Canned foods, even those that are healthy, can lose some nutritional content with time, so it's better to eat them before expiration. Although the quality of the food inside a can may decrease after its "best-by" date is over, there is no serious danger to your health from eating a can that is still in good shape. The food within the container has been properly sterilized, and the vacuum seal will keep any new bacteria out.
Soup made with canned products, Image Source: Pexels
Cans to avoid
It's essential to keep canned goods cool and dry and avoid purchasing dented, bulging, rusty, or leaking cans. Do not keep them under the sink, above or beside the stove, in a damp garage or basement, or anywhere else where extreme temperatures or humidity can affect them.
Canned food lifespan
Once you've opened a can, it's best to keep the rest in the fridge, covered in a layer of plastic or glass to keep it fresh. It has a shelf life of around 3–4 days in the refrigerator after opening.
Canned fish, Image Source: Pexels
Cans of acidic food
Canned meat and chicken, stews, and pasta products are some of the low-acid canned goods available. Vegetables and soups (except for tomato soup) also fall into this group, as do foods like potatoes, corn, carrots, spinach, beans, beets, peas, and pumpkin. Canned products have a shelf life of two to five years, depending on the type, and three to four days in the fridge once opened. The same is valid with high-acid canned goods, typically featuring tomato, fruit, and berry juices and preserves. Pickles, sauerkraut, and any other dish doused in a vinegar-based sauce or dressing also fall under this category. These meals can be stored for 12-18 months. However, once opened, they only need to be refrigerated for 5-7 days.