Opened canned food in cans: how to store it so as not to get poisoned and throw it away

The production of canned food in France dates back to the time of Napoleon, and the first canning factory was built in London in 1813. Since then, the question of how to store canned food has not lost its relevance.

Where, how and for how long to store canned food in cans

To choose a way to store closed cans at home, let's continue to study the inscriptions on the label. Usually the information is in very small print, so bring a magnifying glass. We are interested in the range of permissible storage temperatures. If it is indicated in the range from 0 to 20-25 degrees, then the jars can and even better be stored in a dry, dark place in the apartment, for example, in a pantry or on a glazed balcony in a closet. Direct sunlight should not fall on canned food. This storage method is preferable to the refrigerator, since it eliminates possible corrosion of the tin due to high humidity.
If canned food is opened, it must be stored only in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to + 6 degrees. From the moment of opening, the product loses its sterility. At room temperature, pathogenic microbes will begin to rapidly multiply in the product. If they get into the stomach, troubles in the form of cramps, nausea, inflammation of the stomach and intestines and other pain are guaranteed.

Improper storage of open canned food is the second leading cause of poisoning.

The shelf life of food in the refrigerator varies.For example, the manufacturer recommends storing green peas in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours, and squash caviar for no longer than two days. This information is also indicated on the jar label, but not all canned foods. Therefore, let's listen to the opinions of experts.
Denis Krivopuskov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, expert technologist for meat products, believes that opened canned meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Azmet Tlekhuch, Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers, believes that canned vegetables are safe to store in the refrigerator for up to three days if the jar is tightly closed with a temporary lid. He believes that it is not necessary to transfer them from a tin can, since the tin is coated with food varnish.
Evgenia Firsova, expert on the quality of canned fish, advises storing canned fish in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours, and be sure to transfer them to another container with a tight lid.

How to store opened canned food wisely for healthy eating

But even storing an open can in the refrigerator does not guarantee complete safety of the product, since microbes also live inside it. Try making it more secure by using temporary lids to seal your canned food before putting it in the refrigerator.

Here are some simple life hacks you can use.

1. Cover the opened jar of leftover canned fish with a glass canning lid.
   
2. A tougher option. The diameters of many tin cans coincide with the dimensions of nylon lids for canning. Soak the lid in hot water for a minute and place it on the jar. It will cool down and wrap very tightly around the neck of the jar.This lid is easy to remove, but if you have difficulty, you can hold the jar for one or two minutes under running hot water from the tap.
   
3. Many coffee can lids will do a great job of temporarily storing open cans.
   
4. Glass lids from tea cups in which tea is brewed can also be suitable for tin cans.
   

Experts do not have a consensus on the possibility of temporarily storing open canned food in cans. Only on some labels is the information about the need to store an open can in the refrigerator supplemented with the clarification “store in a non-metallic container.” It can be food grade plastic or glass.
The fact is that in open metal cans accelerated oxidation begins. Glass is an inert neutral material, so it is preferable to store the contents of open cans in it. Most experts still recommend placing the product from a tin can into another container.

To be sure of the quality of the product, it is better to transfer canned fish into glass containers.

A glass jar will reliably protect canned vegetables. It is better to store canned food in it.

Never risk your health for uneaten food from cans. If you have doubts about their quality, throw them away without regret. Store opened jars only in the refrigerator, transfer their contents to glass containers and always close them with lids.

How to choose the right canned food in cans

Canned food was invented as army food. And now they are a strategic military reserve of provisions. Military canned food in cans is carefully controlled, and their shelf life is extremely long - five years or even more.To do this, they are usually coated with an anti-corrosion lubricant.
The mission of ordinary canned food is similar to that of the army - it is a convenient strategic supply of food for all occasions. But you can’t count on a quality product equivalent to military quality. Therefore, you need to think about storing cans when choosing them in the store.

1. We start by inspecting the tin can.
   — There should be no defects or dents on it.
   — A swollen lid or a pop when pressing on the middle of the lid is a danger signal. You cannot buy or eat such canned food. A “bomb” lid may be a sign of the presence of spores of the dangerous anaerobic microorganism Clostridium botulism in a sealed jar. This usually occurs due to a violation of canning technology. In a closed jar, the spores produce a powerful poison, botulinum toxin. The consequence of eating such a product will be botulism - severe poisoning, sometimes fatal. Contaminated canned mushrooms, fish and meat are especially dangerous.
   — The seam along the edge of the can should be without jagged edges and perfectly smooth.
2. It is necessary to pay attention to the date of manufacture of the product
   It is squeezed into the bottom of a tin can or applied with permanent paint. There is no significant difference between the two options; both marking methods are acceptable. But if you suddenly find at home that the paint is washed off under running water, return the product to the store.

Important: the usual recommended shelf life for canned food is 2 years from the date of manufacture. It must also be indicated on the jar label. Calculate how many months are left until it is completed and whether you are satisfied with the remaining time.