How Cold Can Canned Food Be Stored?

Canned food is one of the most popular forms of food storage and can be found in almost every household. It’s convenient, shelf-stable, and can last for years if stored correctly. But how cold can canned food be stored?

The main concern when it comes to storing canned food is ensuring that it’s kept at a temperature that doesn’t cause the metal cans to expand or contract too quickly. Cans are made from metal and can be affected by changes in temperature, so it’s important to keep canned foods within a certain temperature range. Generally, you should store canned foods between 50°F (10°C) and 70°F (21°C).

Storing canned foods at temperatures below 50°F (10°C) could cause the cans to buckle or expand due to the extreme cold temperatures. The expansion or buckling of the cans could cause them to leak or burst open, exposing their contents to bacteria that could lead to spoilage or contamination.

On the other hand, storing canned foods at temperatures above 70°F (21°C) could cause the cans to contract due to the heat. This contraction can weaken the seams of the cans and cause them to leak or burst open as well.

It is important to note that while some canned goods may not spoil when stored at temperatures below 50°F (10°C) or above 70°F (21°C), they may still become unsafe for consumption.

The optimal temperature for storing canned goods is between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit (10-21 degrees Celsius). Storing them at any higher or lower than this range could potentially lead to spoilage and contamination due to tin can expansion/contraction due to extreme temperatures.

It’s best practice not only for safety reasons but also for quality reasons, making sure your canned goods remain safe and enjoyable for your family!

Conclusion:

It is important for consumers to store their canned goods within a temperature range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit (10-21 degrees Celsius) in order to avoid potential contamination caused by tin can expansion/contraction due to extreme temperatures. Storing your canned food within this range will ensure its safety and quality!