Indian Recipes : Food Guide : Canned Food Facts

CANNED FOOD SAFETY & STORAGE

• Cans or glass jars with metal lid can get rusted if not used properly i.e. touched by wet hands or spoon & when rust will be deep enough, tiny holes open in the can or lid may let spoilage agents in & will spoil the food. That's why we should avoid water contact from can.
  
  
• Cans could even corrode, if food will chemically react with metal container. Especially highly-acid food like canned tomatoes and fruit juices gets easily corroded. When kept or used for several years causes change in taste and texture. It eventually lowers down the nutritional food value also. So this type of food should not be kept for very long time in home
  
  
• Temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are harmful for canned foods. If the storage temperature rises, the risk of spoilage of food jumps sharply. There are high chances of loosing nutrient of the caned food, if stored at above 75 degree for very long period. In the glass jars the light can cause color changes and nutrient losses in foods. That's why we are advised to use the older canned food earlier than the newer one i.e. we should follow the technique of LIFO (last in first out).
  
  
• We should never use foods from containers with the spoilage warning signs given on the container. So before taking the can check for statements written along the top, side or bottom seam.
  
  
• You should never take loose or bulging lids on jars; leaking or badly dented can or foods with a foul odor. These all are the symbols of old or poor packaging of food. If the packaging will be old the product inside the can can't be used for longer time period.
  
  
• If the cans doesn't show any sign of spoilage or damage than also you should take care as a edible inside it may deteriorate in color, flavors & nutritive value. So don't go on packaging but check out the date.

There are certain points which should be kept in mind while storage of the canned food. For better & prolonged use of canned food we must keep them in mind. It will solve your purpose of keeping canned food at your home. So be ready to apply them in your kitchen & enjoy your food as longer as you want.

Tips For Using Canned Food

• You should always store cans in a cool, clean & dry place where temperatures must be below 85 degrees. It is advisable to keep temperature between 50-70 degrees but not at the freezing temperatures.
  
  
• Foods should be rotated so the older one is used first &later one at last. Moreover you should not try to keep canned foods more than one year because the edibles may get spoiled after such a long period.
  
  
• As like other food canned foods, canned meats and seafood must be used within 12 months.
  
  
• The high-acid canned foods must be used within 6-8 months as they can easily react with metal.
  
  
• Canned fruit juices can be stored up to 3 years but keep check on it. They should be kept at right temperature, what is prescribed on the can.
  
  
• Before storing the food you must read the instructions given on the can. It will help you out in storing the food at right temperature & right place.