Food Dates

[Stray]

Hi Folks, Just been getting seriously started with the Prepping this last few months, just wondering what the general thoughts are on dates on tinned food? I've noticed that huge amounts of the stuff in my local supermarket have only a 2013 date on them (maybe a reflection on where I live!) So I have have spent ages raking through stuff for 2015 dates, so I'm wondering if it is 'safe' to buy and eat stuff with a 2013 date after the dates. A guy at work ate tinned fruit 3 years out of date by accident and suffered no ill effects, but wondering how tinned meat would fair!

[Moony]

If you search around on the forum im sure you'll find posts on this topic, however in general 'Best Before' are only guidelines, whereas 'Use By' is something that should be considered a more fixed date. Typically undented and un-corroded cans should be good for years after the BB date, discard and that appear damaged or blown out. Storing your tins somewhere cool and without large swings in temperature will increase the length of time they can be safely stored. Even if the food is safe to eat it will suffer from loss of nutritional value, especially if significantly past it's BB date.

[tigs]

as moony has said the dates are a guideline ( in fact they are a way for manufactures to get you to buy more ) tinned food stored correctly can last for decades after the use by date

[jansman]

Earlier this year we sold our holiday place. We always kept a good supply of tins and packets so we could chuck a meal together, as we used to go just for 24 hrs much of the time. The kitchen was cold, and the cupboard dark. When I cleared it out there was stuff 2 yrs off date. Stew steak , corned beef, soups etc.
Well,*I* ate them!
The main thing is that the tin is not dented or bulging or rotten and really rusty. Like all foods, cool and dark, nice n steady environment.

[JOE90]

I'm an Engineer in the canning industry and have had training on canning machinery direct from our can suppliers. We test our seams on the can a lot as we want our product to last, in fact i was in the canning lab this morning when we were measuring the seam specs. I've been shown old cans still in perfect condition from 50+ years ago,. Provided they are in perfect condition i.e. no dents, rust, bulging or paneling i would not have any issue eating its contents. Use by and sell by dates are there as a requirement of law. I'm collecting a lot of tins for the future, i might even buy my own can seamer

[Stray]

Excellent! Thanks very much, that put my mind at rest. I was speaking to a mate who goes climbing, and he apparently enjoys rations that are years out of date and has suffered no ill effects. (He reckons the chocolate pudding from '98 was a particular winner!) Brilliant!

[jansman]

Thanks for the information Joe90. The canning process is fantastic, isn't it?
Perhaps something we take very much for granted, I think.