Canned food is one of the most convenient and popular forms of food storage. It is widely available, affordable, and can last for several years when stored properly. However, many people wonder if it is bad to refrigerate canned food.
The short answer is that it is generally not a good idea to refrigerate canned food. Canned food should always be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Refrigerating canned food can cause it to spoil more quickly and may even create an environment where bacteria and mold can grow.
When you refrigerate canned foods, the metal container contracts and expands as the temperature changes; this creates tiny cracks in the metal which can lead to bacteria entering the container and spoiling the contents. Additionally, any condensation that forms on its surface as it cools can also cause corrosion of the metal over time.
In addition to affecting its shelf life, refrigerating canned food can also affect its flavor. When metal containers are exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time, their taste can change significantly; in some cases this can result in an unpleasant metallic taste when the food is consumed. This affects not only the taste of the canned items but also their nutritional value as well.
Canned items like fruits and vegetables should always be kept at room temperature with no more than a few days’ worth of cans being stored in a refrigerator at any given time. Alternatively these items should be frozen if they are not going to be used within a few days after opening them up. Canned meats like tuna or salmon should never be refrigerated either; they should be kept in a cool dry place with plenty of air circulation if they are going to last longer than a few days before being consumed.
Conclusion:
It is typically not advised to refrigerate canned foods due to potential spoilage and alteration of taste/nutritional value that could occur from exposure to cold temperatures for extended periods of time. For optimum shelf life and flavor, it is best to keep canned foods stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources with no more than a few days’ worth being stored in a refrigerator at any given time when necessary.