How Long Can You Store Canned Food?

Canned foods are a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to store food. Canned foods, however, can be unsafe to eat if they are not stored correctly or have been around for too long. So how long can you store canned food?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, canned food has an indefinite shelf life if stored properly. Proper storage includes keeping the cans in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and at temperatures between 50°F and 70°F. If stored for extended periods at higher temperatures (over 85°F), the quality of the food may be compromised, as well as its safety.

Cans should also be kept in their original packaging until opened to protect from contamination from other sources such as bugs, rodents or dust particles. Though canned food has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly, it is still recommended that you rotate your canned goods regularly by eating older cans first and replacing them with new ones. This will help ensure that you always have quality canned food available and that you don’t end up with expired cans that have been sitting on your shelves for too long.

Another important factor is the expiration date printed on the cans themselves; this indicates how long the manufacturer believes their product will remain safe to consume before it begins to deteriorate in quality or even become unsafe to eat. It’s important to pay attention to these dates so you know when it’s time to replace your cans with fresh ones.

In summary, canned foods can last indefinitely when stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight at temperatures between 50°F and 70°F. However, it is still important to pay attention to expiration dates printed on the cans themselves and rotate your canned goods regularly so they remain safe and of high quality for consumption.How Long Can You Store Canned Food? Canned foods can be safely stored indefinitely when kept in their original packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight at temperatures between 50°F and 70°F; however, it is recommended that you rotate your canned goods regularly by consuming older items first and replacing them with new ones as well as paying attention to expiration dates printed on each can itself.