Canned Food For Survival: Expiration Dates

Canned food is cheaper than freeze dried foods, but are they reliable for long term storage?

If you would like to show appreciation for the videos produced by Chef Prepper you can do so by buying me a $3 coffee! at Buy Me A Coffee, which offers a simple way to support a channel or just say thank you without having to commit to a monthly membership or even signing up for an account.

Or

if you would like to help The Chef Prepper Channel. It’s so simple! Simply click on the link:

Even if you don’t buy one of our items, we will still get a portion of any purchase you make from Amazon after clicking the link, and your price doesn’t change! Simply by shopping, you can help our family, and we appreciate it more than you know. As Amazon Affiliates, we thank you for thinking of us on your purchases!

Our Amazon Store where you can find Prepping Gear and our Indoor/Outdoor cooking items!


**Videos Mentioned In This Video**


**Videos About Long Term Storage Of Canned Foods**

**Websites/Articles about canned food to check out**

If you would like to send mail to Chef Prepper:
Chef Prepper
PO Box 18
Hazel Green, KY 41332

Email – Feel free to drop us an email and say hello!

**Affiliate Disclosure**

[agentk]

In the Air Force in 1978 we ate c-rations that were canned in 1964. No one got sick. Proper storage is VERY important.

[stigjr]

I just ate tunafish that was dated use by 2013, it was perfect. Taste and smell was great. No issues. Thanks for the reminder.

[markpaulin]

As long as cans are not swelling, the food inside is fine.

[onlinebills]

I am the one in my family who WILL keep your "expired" cans and eat them when the need arises. Cans that "expired" in 2009 and consumed in 2022 were perfectly fine. See my previous comment as to why

[pintobeans]

The old can from Walmart use to be 50 cents each while the new can is about $1.80 a can.

[richardelliott]

My mother, a child of the depression, taught me to inspect all cans before storing them. Any damaged cans go into our short term rotation. Only perfect cans should go into your long tetm storage. She had no problem buying damaged cans, especially when they ran specials on severely dented cans, but we would eat those right away. TY

[krenee]

The reason the previous "older can tastes better is because the older recipes were actually made better with better ingredients. The food companies have dollarized the food recipes meaning they have filled the recipes with the cheapest ingredients they can get that gives a similar taste while increasing the price. I'd challenge anyone to do the same test with good cans of foods with even a 2-5 year range it's unfortunate, & the taste difference is super obvious. But if you want a really huge difference find an old mountain house & compare it to a new one of the same menu item or replacement recipe. That will blow your mind. Anyway happy prepping. Much
L❤VE from Kentucky!

[stephenmiller]

A best buy date is not an expiration date. It is a guaranteed fresh by date. His explanation of the test is very informative.

[EHW]

better to have expired food then no food at all. during war in bosnia i ate grass and flower to survive! also aid from usa came it was food from vietnam war expired looong time ago

[redmimic]

You're a good man and people should tell you that everyday

[charlottecmgh]

If no one has told you that you are fabulous, then I will tell you...Chef Prepper, you rock ! Another great video from you. Thank you.

[willie]

I ate some WWII C-rations back in the 80's, that stuff was over 40 years old, and it still taste okay too

[JohnnyRamone]

I can totally understand the canned tomato products developing holes after a couple of years. Any food item which is acidic is known to really eat away at the can itself at a much quicker rate than any other food item. Wonderful video!

[kiddlesnmore]

That was very informative. I feel like I’m alone (in a family of 6), when it comes to prepping. I’m not going to stop. Stack it to the rafters people!

[deneseburrell]

Good show, thank you. I didn't know about the 'indefinite' part that canned goods will last. They're always saying to rotate all your stuff. Fun fact: your old Beanie Weanies had more hot dogs pieces, probably more spices too [better color & flavor], which just goes to show how poorly everything's made any more~

[tentigers]

As you say, canned tomato products develop leaks over time. I have also had problems with canned artichoke hearts. Canned fruit also tends to want to swell and leak about a year after the BB date. When buying cans I give them a squeeze and check for any dents or other issues. Some companies have gone to thinner cans, I take that into account with the price. So the brand with a thicker can at the same price wins! Even then when I get home I will find a dented can - those I just use right away (they don't go into storage).

[AttieLamprecht]

So you tell me that a rusty can on the outside I must throw it away, bullshit I open the can and the food inside was perfect I ate it and is still alive after+- 5 years.

[RichardT]

The sniff test will always be a good test - we are built to know when food is bad. So always trust your nose: if you think it may be bad - TOSS IT!
Great video as always!

[allyn]

For one thing no canned food lasts indefinitely! Canned food can be bad and not have an odor until you heat it up. You should always heat it thoroughly first, and then smell it before you taste it.

[joeyjennings]

My suggestion is not to cook in a microwave. it does not heat evenly to kill off bacteria if not taken out stirred & repeted heating. best to use a pot or pan to a rolling boil while stirring.