In This Article
In this article I will cover the question, how long does canned food last and how to properly store canned foods.
Canned food is a convenient source of food. Canned food is affordable, and depending on the food, easy to cook. They are a must-have if you are planning to fill up your pantry with non-perishable foods. So, exactly how long does canned food last?
This brief article will cover all the information you need to know how long canned food lasts.
Let’s dive right in.
Storing canned food
According to the USDA, canned food can last forever if stored properly. This doesn’t mean it will taste the same, smell the same, or feel the same after a decade. However, canned food should still be edible.
So, how do you properly store it? Ideally, you should store it in an area below 85° Fahrenheit(29° Celcius), which is dry.
General rules of thumb for canned goods
You generally do not want to purchase any canned food that is bulging, leaking, rusted, or with a deep dent because that will significantly reduce its shelf-life.
Certain food manufacturers do have “Best-By” and “Use-By” dated, which states how long it will take the food to change texture, smell, and taste; however, it still will be edible.
Categories of how long canned food can last.
If you really must know how long food can go before it may taste “off,” here are some general thresholds.
Low Acid Canned food
This includes canned meat, poultry, stews, pasta products, and soups(not tomato soup). This also covers potatoes, corn, carrots, spinach, beans, peas, and pumpkin. According to the USDA, low-acid canned food can last for 2 to 5 years and 3-4 days after opening if stored in a refrigerator.
High Acid Canned Food
This includes juices, tomatoes, pickles, and fruits like grapefruit, pineapple, apples, peaches, plums, pears, all berries, and all foods with vinegar dressings. These will last 1-2 years on the shelf and 5-7 days after opened if stored in a refrigerator.
Conclusion
If you liked this article, perhaps you will like the most important prepper foods to store. Or perhaps the best prepper can opener review.
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