Knowing the age of canned food can be important for determining whether it’s still safe to eat. Canned food has a shelf life of two to five years, depending on the type of product and how it is stored. If you can’t tell how old canned food is, there are some ways to determine its age.
Checking the Expiration Date
The most reliable way to determine the age of canned food is by checking the expiration date. Most canned foods have a label on them with an expiration date that indicates when the product should be consumed by for best quality. This date is usually stamped on the bottom or side of the can.
Inspecting for Signs of Damage
If there is no expiration date on the can, you may be able to tell how old it is by inspecting it for signs of damage. Cans that are dented, bulging, or rusted may be unsafe due to bacterial contamination and should not be consumed. Additionally, cans that have been opened and resealed with duct tape or other materials may also indicate that they are not safe to eat.
Looking at Product Codes
Another way to determine how old canned food is is by looking at product codes printed on the can. These codes usually consist of a series of numbers and letters that provide information about when and where a product was made. For example, if a code starts with a “1” followed by two digits indicating the year, then it likely means that the product was made in 2021.
Conclusion:
When trying to determine how old canned food is, checking its expiration date is always your best bet. If there is no expiration date on the can or if it appears damaged in any way, then it’s best to discard it rather than risk consuming spoiled or contaminated food. Additionally, product codes printed on cans may also provide some insight into when they were manufactured.