Canned Food Safety

Did you know that canned foods can start breaking down after a year of storage.  They sometimes lose their color, flavor, texture and nutritive value.  They should be stored at temperatures around 70 degrees and o higher than 95 degrees, which means? don?t store them in cabinets next to or above the stove or oven.  Also, pay attention to the conditions of the cans.  If the can is bulging at all, throw the can away.  This means the food inside may be spoiled.  If the can has rust, pitch it.  The rust can actually penetrate the can and get to the food inside.  These tips should also be used when buying canned foods.  It only takes a few seconds to look the can over before purchasing. 

 

In my pantry, I rotate cans so I?m using the oldest ones 1st. About every 3 months I take an inventory of my pantry.   If I find myself with something I know I?ve had for several months and know I?ll probably not use for several months, I package it up and send it to a food bank.   Items like this are sometimes collected in our pantries due to buy one get one free sales.  We even have a store that runs a buy 2 get 3 free sale and you must take all 5 to cut the cost down.  These sales are hard to pass up but I don?t always end up needing 5. 

 

So, take a little time and go through your pantry to make sure your canned foods are safe to eat.