Here Is How to Store Canned Food and How Long it Can Last

We all enjoy eating at home and making everything from scratch, but there are times when we simply lack the time or the desire to do so. When you’re too busy to boil and mash a pumpkin, prepare a pot of dried beans, or go to the shop for fresh produce, non-perishable items like canned food can save your life. Many foods that stay a long time are convenient to keep on hand, have several uses, and are excellent in emergency circumstances like snowstorms and power outages. But, how long does canned food truly last?

Canned Food Lasts for a Long Time!

Given how canned goods are made, canned food can last for a very long time. Correct canning techniques “eliminate oxygen, deactivate current enzymes in the food, and inhibit the growth of harmful microbes,” according to Candice Christian, a consumer and retail food safety specialist from North Carolina State University Extension.

Can Canned Food Really Expire?

No, and yes. If your pantry contains canned food that is beyond its expiry date, the USDA advises that “the goods should still be safe and healthy if handled appropriately until the time deterioration is obvious.” When you open a can of food that has passed its expiration date and it seems and smells okay, for instance, it’s likely to be fine. Food should be thrown out or composted if it has an abnormal smell, color, or texture.