Store Canned Foods in a Dry, Cool Place

Whether storing home canned, or commercially canned foods, follow baby bear’s advice. Canned foods should not be kept too hot or too cold. Avoid storing next to kitchen ranges, furnaces, radiators, and steam pipes. Do not allow canned goods to freeze.

If canned foods do freeze, check the seams of the can after thawing for signs of leakage. Discard cans that leak without tasting the food. Also check the ends to make sure they are flat again. Some breakdown in texture can occur during freezing. The food may be more mushy.

Recommended storage for canned foods is usually one year. If canned properly, the food is safe indefinitely.

However, nutritional value and quality may be reduced. Poor storage conditions can also
reduce the quality.

Once a can is opened, the food becomes perishable. Refrigerate or freeze any unused food immediately. It is best to store opened food in glass or plastic containers. Acid foods stored in metal cans develop off flavors.
 

Other September 2006 Articles:
   Pick a Peck of Apples for Later Enjoyment
   Apple Butter
   Store Your Canner Wisely
   Sterilizing Jars
   May I Can Pumpkin Butter?