If you’re feeling hungry and don’t have access to a means of warming up your canned soup, can you just go ahead and eat it cold? While not always the ideal method for texture and overall enjoyment, it’s not usually an issue of safety.
You can safely eat cold canned soup directly from the can but before doing so, you should do a visual inspection of the can itself to avoid opening and consuming potentially contaminated soup. There should be no dents or swelling on the can and the soup itself should not have any unpleasant odors or mold growth.
Shelf-stable canned goods can last for quite some time and if you’re like most people, you probably have a few expired cans in the back of your pantry. When you’re determining whether or not you should eat a canned food item, there are a few things to be aware of before you crack it open and dig in for a quick meal.
Can You Eat Canned Food Straight From the Can?
In general, there is no issue with eating food directly from the can that it came in. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re about to do so.
When considering whether or not your should eat your food directly from the can — there are a few questions to consider before doing so. First, does the can show any signs of damage that would potentially compromise the food inside?
If the can is showing any signs of a bulging lid or leakage, it is no longer safe to consume the food inside. Stay keenly alert for any bad odors or signs of mold once you open the can and toss the canned goods if you notice anything unsavory.
When eating food directly from the can, it’s important to refrain from heating it inside of the can. If you’re going to eat it, it’s best to do so at room temp. Heating a can may cause the plastic lining to melt and leach potentially harmful chemicals into the food.
Does Canned Food Go Bad?
Oftentimes, when cleaning out your pantry you may find some canned goods that have been pushed towards the back that are now a year or two past their best-by date. Does this mean that you have to immediately toss them or are can they still safe to eat?
The good news is you can eat canned foods well past their expiration dates — as long as they pass a visual inspection and a sniff test. Many shelf-stable canned goods are safe to eat indefinitely, well past their “best-by” date.
Expiration dates often refer to when the quality begins to go downhill and not necessarily the safety of consuming the item. If the can passes the visual inspection but you still find yourself concerned about eating the food, remember the saying: “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Canned food items such as tomatoes and fruits, due to their higher acidity level, will last for a shorter period of time when compared to foods such as meats and veggies. Higher levels of acidity within a can may lead to corrosion and rust production over time.
For optimal freshness, consume your acidic foods within 12-18 months. For canned meats, they can potentially keep their quality for several years. Using the visual and sniff test outlined below, you can make a determination on a case-by-case basis.
How To Tell If Canned Food Has Gone Bad
Once a can has exceeded its expiration date, you’ll have to proceed through a few steps to ensure it’s safe to eat. First, you’ll want to check to ensure that there are no dents (especially around the seam) and no signs of bulging or rusting.
These can all be signs that potentially harmful bacteria have gained access to the contents of the can and the food is no longer recommended for consumption.
When you open the can, there should be no bubbling or foaming and you shouldn’t hear a hissing noise when the lid cracks open. These are all surefire signs of a spoiled can of food.
Of course, any food that looks moldy should be thrown out immediately. If there is a foul odor when you open the can, it’s a sign that oxygen may have somehow gotten inside and caused the food to go bad. Using your eyes, nose, and ears is a great way to gauge whether or not the canned food is still edible and safe for ingestion.
If you open the can and notice that the color seems darker but everything else seems fine, this isn’t necessarily a sign that the food is inedible.
This can be expected of canned food that has sat for an extended period of time and may simply mean that the overall quality has diminished with age. Though the food may not be as tasty, you can still consume it without concern for your health.
How Should You Store Canned Food?
When choosing the proper storage method for your canned goods, you should opt for a cool, dry, dark space — such as a pantry or storage shed. Ideally, the temperature should be within the range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Instead of placing your cans on the ground, a shelf is preferable as it protects the food against potential flooding and drastic changes in temperature. Any dampness can cause the metal to break down and corrode, which will lead to spoiled food.
To get the most out of your canned food, you’ll want to rotate the cans as often as possible. That is, you should be using the older cans first and replacing them with newer ones. This decreases the likelihood of a build-up of expired cans and allows you to enjoy the food at its optimal quality.
Keeping an organized system of your canned food items can not only save you money in the long term but it can keep you from having to waste food. Also, you’ll be able to enjoy the food at its optimal nutritional value when eating it within the best-by timeframe.
Can You Eat All Types of Canned Food Without Heating?
Canned foods are required by the FDA to have been pre-cooked, making them safe to eat without heating. While heating does tend to enhance the flavor of foods such as soups, chowders, and vegetable products — it’s not a necessary step before consumption.
Some canned food, such as fruit, can be enjoyably consumed without heating. Soup may taste better warm, especially on a cold winter day, but it’s perfectly safe to consume it at room temperature.
For the most part, all heating does is enhance the flavor of the food. If you’re in a desperate situation or simply don’t have a working stovetop or microwave, then eating directly from the can isn’t going to cause any negative side effects.
What Happens If Canned Food Freezes?
Canned food that has been frozen is at risk of bursting. As the liquid freezes, it also expands and it can cause the seal to become broken and thus allowing bacteria to enter the can. You should avoid freezing your cans as a method of storage.
If your cans were accidentally frozen and you want to try to preserve the food, you should defrost them first in the refrigerator. Once completely defrosted, you can open the can and if the food looks okay you can go ahead and consume it as normal.
However, if you have thawed out frozen canned goods at room temperature then you should refrain from eating them. These cans should be tossed out as they are not safe to eat due to potential bacteria growth, such as botulism.
Storing canned goods outside during periods of freezing temperatures can lead to a total loss if the cans have become swollen and unusable. Unless you have an insulated outdoor shed for your canned goods, it’s best to keep them inside of your home.