How Long Can Canned Food Last in Heat?

Canned foods are a great way to store food for long-term storage, especially if you live in a hot climate. But how long can canned food last in the heat?

This is an important question to ask as the shelf life of canned food can be greatly reduced if it is exposed to excessive heat.

The good news is that most canned foods have a very long shelf life when stored properly. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, canned food can last up to five years when stored at room temperature (about 68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it’s important to note that this is only true if the cans are unopened and stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Once a can has been opened, the shelf life of the food significantly decreases. The USDA recommends that opened cans should be consumed within two or three days if kept in a refrigerator, and within one day if kept at room temperature.

It’s also important to note that extreme temperatures can shorten the shelf life of canned food even further. If canned food is exposed to temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time, it may spoil much faster than usual and should not be consumed.

Conclusion:

Overall, when stored properly, most canned foods have a shelf life of up to five years when unopened and two or three days once opened. However, extreme temperatures can significantly decrease this time frame so it’s important to keep cans away from direct sunlight and high temperatures if you want them to last as long as possible.