Canning expiration dates

by Krista
(Mesa, AZ)

How long do canned items stay good for? Does it vary by what you can?

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answer:

The USDA official recommendation is that you use the food within one year.

I usually stay pretty close to that although I'd not have a problem eating foods a couple of years old as long as the seal is still good and there is no sign of spoiled food .

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Canning expiration dates

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I live on the edge.
by: Anonymous

When researching for the canning classes I taught this summer, I found a study on this very topic. It said that after five years, the nutritional value of the canned foods had decreased by 3%, and that after five years, the rate of nutrient loss increased such that by 63 years there would be no nutrition left in the food.

After the research I did, and after participating in many, many discussions with women who have been canning for decades, I have finally come to the conclusion that it depends upon the storage conditions. Ideally, the storage area is cool and dry. By "cool", 40 degrees year-round. Many of us don't have that situation. But those foods are likely to remain edible and nutritious for 20 years. At 70 degrees, that drops to 10 years.

I have almost 1400 jars in my indoor, air conditioned pantry, and I am confident that they will still be edible and nutritious in seven or eight years. Your mileage may vary, of course.