Canning is a method of preserving food that has been around for centuries. The process involves sealing food in an airtight container and then heating it to a high temperature to kill off any microorganisms that may cause spoilage.
Canned food has become popular over the years as it is convenient, easy to store, and can last for several years. But what happens when a can of food you have purchased has gone bad or expired? Can you recan store bought canned food?
The answer is both yes and no. It is possible to recan store bought canned food, but there are risks involved.
If the cans have already been opened or if they are dented or damaged, then the risk of contamination increases significantly. If the can is still sealed, however, then recanning may be possible if done correctly.
When recanning store bought canned food, it is important to use clean and sterilized jars or containers that are properly sized for the amount of food being canned. Additionally, all of the ingredients should be fresh and unspoiled before being placed in the jars or containers.
Once everything is ready, use a pressure canner to heat-process the sealed containers at 10-15 PSI for 20-90 minutes depending on what type of food you are canning. This will ensure that any bacteria present will be killed off and your canned goods will be safe to eat at a later date.
It is also important to note that if you are recanning store bought canned foods that have already been opened or are past their expiration date, then it is best to discard them rather than attempt to recan them as this increases the risk of contamination significantly. Additionally, some foods such as meats should not be attempted to recan due to their high risk of spoilage when not heated at temperatures high enough to kill off any present bacteria.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is technically possible to recan store bought canned foods if they have not been opened or damaged and have been processed correctly with a pressure canner beforehand; it is not recommended due to potential risks involved such as contamination from bacteria present in the environment due to an open container or expired expiration date on certain foods. Therefore, it is best practice to discard any cans that have already been opened or out-dated rather than attempting to recan them for safety reasons.