Can canned food be still edible after 200 years?

Answer 1

Please, do not try to eat any out-dated canned foods! Canned foods are susceptible to really nasty things like botulism and other poisons that can/will kill people. Eating old, out-dated frozen foods is much safer than eating old canned foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has many free, or nearly free, printed publications about canning, freezing, storing foods; preparation of foods; you-name-it-they've-got-it on foods! I discovered the USDA printed matter in the late 1960s. They are still going strong, still free or nearly free, and still brimming with good information! I received several booklets with instructions for canning and freezing vegetables that were easy to read, well-written, and the price was right! I'm sure you can find them on the internet now. There is a location in Pueblo, CO that sends out hundreds of publications. Please, before you make a terrible mistake, read a well-documented booklet about canning foods. Find out what sort of dangers exist, as well as what sort of benefits there are. It can be all good, if you know what you are doing!

Answer 2

Yes. Canned food can still be edible after 200 years. It will need to have been stored at below freezing conditions, otherwise it will be inedible.

Most canned food is canned in acid conditions. That prevents a single bacterium spore that might have wafted through the air from falling on the hot food from surviving in the food. The acid will cause the food to undergo a slow oxidation reduction reaction. This will cause the food to to become inedible. Freezing the food will stop that reaction.

Answer 3

If the canning process was perfectly sterile and the can has remained intact, it is very likely to be OK. Has it been six years or only five? Perhaps you've lost count. But, considering that botulinum toxin is the most powerful neurotoxin known to man, and that less than five micrograms of the stuff can kill you within 24 to 72 hours, you just have to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do you?

Answer 4

There isn't a set answer to your question. Some canned goods can keep for years while others must be used in less than 1.

That being said, here is some of the information I've found:

There are two types of dating on food products, open and closed. Open dating is a clear calendar date shown on the product that gives you information for food storage. Closed dating is a coded system used by the manufacturer.

OPEN DATING

There are three types of open dating where an actual calendar date is displayed. See tables 1 and 2 at the end of article for more information on food storage in relation to dating.

1. USE-BY DATE: the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer.

WHAT TO DO: The best policy is to use the product by this date.

2. SELL-BY DATE: tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before the date expires.

WHAT TO DO: How long the food is safe to eat and/or maintains a high quality after this date depends on the food. Tip 4 provides further information about how to use the Internet to access the company if contact information isn't given on the food product.

NOTE: Once a food is opened, it frequently needs to be used more quickly than it would if it remained unopened.

3. BEST IF USED BY (OR BEFORE) DATE: recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

WHAT TO DO: If possible, contact the company for more information -- see Tip 4 if contact information isn't given on the food product. The food still may be safe. Yet, who wants to eat (or have their cooking ability judged by!) a baked product made from a mix where the leavening ingredients were too old to make the food rise. Or, where the fat in a food -- such as nuts - -turned rancid over time. One cake company hotline said its cake mix still should taste good for three months past the label date; however, it would be best to discard the accompanying nuts which no longer may be at peak flavor.

There are some things you should look out for in food past it's best by date. Do NOT eat anything from a damaged or rusted can. Damage to the can could have caused the seal to be compromised and potentially let bacteria into the food which could lead to food poisoning. Do not eat foods in which the color or odor is off. If you have doubts about the food don't eat it.

Answer 5

Most unopened long life goods should be thrown out after one year of purchase

Answer 6

1. why would you?

2. r u nutz?

3. yeah, its safe