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.
How Long Can Food Last In Cans?
Tomatoes, fruits, and other high-acid canned food have a shorter shelf life and often retain their optimum quality for up to 12-18 months. Low-acid canned items like meats and vegetables, on the other hand, can last for two to five years. Here is the shelf-life of some of the most common foods, stored in cans.
- Fruits (peaches, pears, and apple pie filling): 12-18 months
- Whole, crushed, and sauced tomatoes: 12–18 months
- Pickled vegetables: 12–18 months
- 2-5 years for sauerkraut
- Peas, maize, and green beans: 2-5 years
- Black, kidney, pinto, and garbanzo beans: 2-5 years
- Non-tomato-based soups: 2-5 years
- 2-5 years for meats (ham, tuna, and sausage).
Can canned food remain for 20 years? According to the USDA, “most foods that are shelf-stable are safe permanently.” You’ll have more success with ingredients like vegetables, non-tomato soups, and beans. However, you’ll want to conduct the sight and smell test before adding anything too old to your dishes. In reality, beans packaged in #10 cans (or Mylar-type bags with the air removed), according to the Utah State University Extension, have a shelf life of 10 or more years. One piece of research indicated that pinto beans in particular could be kept for up to 30 years and that more than 80% of test panel participants thought the flavor was satisfactory.