Do you have canned food in your pantry that may have been there for years? According to the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service, some of your commercially canned foods may still be safe to eat. High acid foods including tomatoes and fruits may be stored up to 18 months. Low acid foods like meat and vegetables may be kept for several years.
To safely store commercially canned foods, keep them in a cool, dry place. Canned products should never be stored under a sink, above a stove, in a damp garage or basement, or any location exposed to high or low temperature extremes. How do you know how long you’ve had those cans of green beans or tuna on your shelves? It’s easy. As you unpack your groceries, use a marker to record the month and year of purchase. Then, use the oldest first.