Our food safety post from August 15th got some interesting comments from Facebook.
We'd like to share one of them with you:
Food Safety Comment From Facebook Paul:
"Expiration dates on shelf foods and canned foods do not mean that the day it expires, it goes bad. Lots of food is still good after that date depending on how it was stored. If it was stored in a warm or hot environment, then the food will expire much sooner than the expiration date. Do note that the FDA only has "guidelines" on expiration dates. There is no standard. my next post is taken directly from the canned food alliance regarding safety and shelf life of most canned foods.
Canned food has a shelf life of at least two years from the date of processing. Canned food retains its safety and nutritional value well beyond two years, but it may have some variation in quality, such as a change of color and texture.
Canning is a high-heat process that renders the food commercially sterile. Food safety is not an issue in products kept on the shelf or in the pantry for long periods of time. In fact, canned food has an almost indefinite shelf life at moderate temperatures (75° F and below)."
We forwarded Paul's comment to the Canned Food Alliance:
This question comes up frequently working with our organizing clients. So we took the time to forward an inquiry to the follks at HomeFoodSafey.org website. Here's what we wrote to them: "We received some interesting Facebook comments regarding some food safety guildelines on your website. Would you be willing to make a comment about this? This suggestion is really opposite from what your suggestions are. Through the high-heat process, canned food may last much longer than the 1-year you suggest. In fact, other experts are saying, the food lasts for much, much, longer; ie; years. Thank you very much."
HomeFoodSafety.org Response:
"Home Food Safety follows the guidelines set by the USDA that can be found here, along with a shelf-stable food safety chart: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Shelf_Stable_Food_Safety/index.asp#42
It's important to keep in mind that the shelf-life of canned foods is determined by many factors, including type food, environment, storage methods, treatment of cans, etc."
Remember, when in doubt throw it out!"
Image above courtesy Infinite Unknown
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