How Does Canned Food Last So Long? | Earth Science

Jimmy Doherty looks at the science and techniques behind caned food lasting for months and years.

Jimmy's Food Factory, Series 1
Instant coffee, processed cheese, square sandwich ham - behind every supermarket product is a process and behind every process is a scientific breakthrough. In this entertaining and thought-provoking programme, farmer and TV personality Jimmy Doherty unpacks the science behind the food items we buy every day - from stay-fresh bread to soft scoop ice cream. Working from a makeshift science lab inside a barn, Jimmy carries out experiments to uncover the secrets of food technology. Exploding myths and revealing the little-known processes of food production, Jimmy's Food Factory will change the way you think about food.

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[luthfurrahman]

People on the production line deserve credit. Hard work being on the production line not as seen on TV.

[adammousa]

They used the bond music for the "spy" can. Chill out folks

[BoyDio]

unbelievably clean and simple solution to preservation.

[karstenvonfjellheim]

And this is why you can eat from a can, without heating it first

[bmwnasher]

Recommended a BBC series called inside the factory a fascinating insight on how food is processed.

[ALAPINO]

FINALLY, the production team over at Jimmy's Food Factory had the bright idea to have isolated mics under monitors (presumably for two-way comms).

Audio is loud environments is always a pain in the arse to mic up.

[kunntz]

The host can now say; "Bean there, done that.." 😉

[petrbarton]

One of my favourites when i really don't feel like doing anything.
Pop a can, roast a kielbasa with onions, two bread rolls. All you need for quick and easily dinner or lunch.

[terrytytula]

What I'd really like to know is how they keep the pasta in cans from dissolving.

[harveyharrison]

0:33, go into slow mo and you can see the guy almost drop a tin but then catch it from the production line

[potatok]

Did anyone realise at 0:13 the music was “Can Can”?

[shadow]

If it wasn't for this video I wouldn't have remembered my can of beans, strange thought but at least I have breakfast sorted. Thanks BBC.

[StewChicken]

How does James Bond music end up in a BBC Earth Lab video as background music...? Also... WHY!?
I love the 007 theme (a lot), but...
Also I hope they got permission to use it (unless it's a modified version of the real thing... lol).

[BlackBirdNL]

They explained the thermometer in a can procedure three times in a row.

[yay-cat]

Some cans have a white lining - maybe a plastic or a coating - I assume this is to stop the food having a chemical reaction with the aluminium?

[_Super_Hans_]

Why doesn't the can explode? Surely the pressure is massive if they're boiling the sauce inside a sealed can

[roi]

So what is the reason they have expiration date after all? what problem can raise after let say 18 months?

[WhatsDaveUpTo]

so interesting. Thank you all you unsung heroes of food production, from the scientists to the line workers, for making us have an abundant and safe food supply. I solute you!

[Peizxcv]

It always saddens me to know there are poor people out there that survives on cold can food because they cannot afford anything else including heating the can up.

[fredrickrari]

What prevents the can from exproding when heated?