Sell-by, Use-by, Dates
January 23, 2012, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
Most canned food products have a “for best quality use by” date stamped on the top or bottom of the can. “Expiration” dates are rarely found on canned food.
The general rule of thumb is that as long as the can is intact, not rusty and not bulging, the food is probably OK. In general, many say that canned food has a shelf life of at least two years from the date of processing.
However, canned food retains its safety and nutritional value well beyond two years, but it may have some variation in quality, such as a change of color and texture. Canning is a high-heat process that renders the food commercially sterile. Food safety is not an issue in products kept on the shelf or in the pantry for long periods of time. In fact, canned food has an almost indefinite shelf life at moderate temperatures (75° F and below). Canned food as old as 100 years has been found in sunken ships and it is still micro-biologically safe! No one will recommend keeping canned food for 100 years, but if the can is intact, not dented or bulging, it is edible.
“Sell by” date. The labeling “sell by” tells the store how long to display the product for sale. This is basically a guide for the retailer, so the store knows when to pull the item. The issue is quality of the item (freshness, taste, and consistency) rather than whether it is on the verge of spoiling. “Sell by” date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.
“Use by” date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality, the last day a product will maintain its optimum freshness, flavor, and texture. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. Beyond this date, the product begins to deteriorate although it is still edible.
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This is something I have always wondered about, the time in which canned food is no longer good. It reminds me of that movie Waterworld in which Dennis Hopper, the villian of the movie, was throwing all these wild looking slaves very old cans of food. I saw this and thought to myself is this actually realistic? I guess it is, won’t have to dispose of some of the canned food that is a little bit past the day it was supposed to be used by.
Off the subject of food in the movie I also thought about how could water actually cover everything, where would the extra water come from? Does not have to, the planet’s insides actually shrink through cooling or some other reason. The size of the planet becoming smaller, then the surface would be flooded by the excess water that did not decrease in volume. This is the only validity I could come up with almost the entire surface of the planet being underwater. Pure science fiction almost certain, other than the canned food issue in the movie which was accurate evidently.
Meh…
People worry too much about dented cans. As long as the can isn’t dented at the seam, usually on top, sometimes on bottom of steel cans, but aluminum cans are getting just stamped out these days so no bottom seam, it’s just fine.
I wouldn’t buy meat in a dented can for fear of botulism…once there is botulinum toxin in it, there’s nothing you can do to take it out and it will make you very sick IF it’s there. Vegetables, no worry, especially high acid foods like tomatoes and peppers. Nothing can grow in it that will hurt you.
I ran across a discount food store a few years ago. Just about all the canned good they sell (except meat) are in dented cans. Just heat it up past 140 degrees for a little bit. The guy that runs it buys cans that get dropped from pallets, and rejects from grocery stores. Never have had a problem. Plus they sell a whole bunch of other stuff….gallon jugs of commercial laundry detergent that last us three months each, commercial size cans of tomato sauce (#10 cans), giant 1.5 gallon cans of mustard (I love mustard..).
Never can tell what you are going to find. Sometimes it’s baked bean city, Bush’s baked beans, $1.79 at kroger, 33 cents there. The last time I went it was enchilada sauce. Hundreds of cans (mostly dented). It’s like Big Lot’s, just not quite so “organized.”
This stuff is 25 cents a can. Such a deal. The produce is not so good, the meat usually not so good but I did get a bunch of boston butts for 5 bucks that would selll for $20 or more at kroger. Just freeze them.
My dad is a microbiologist, worked at CDC for 34 years. Dented cans are fine as ling as the seam(s) aren’t dented. He should know….
If you are anywhere near Atlanta it’s worth a look. Bell’s Discount Groceries. $100 will get you a trunkload of food. Never had a problem.
Oh, the big cans of really good mustard are $5.00. Tomato sauce, $4.00. Such a deal!