Prep Genrl Canned Fruit

[nomifyle]

In many places I've read that canned fruit doesn't last very long. Of course, I'm sure much of this is because "they" don't want people hanging onto canned fruit to sell more canned fruit. We get several cans of either peaches, pares and fruit cocktail every month in commodities, although the amount has been reduced drastically. Over time we have accumulated a good supply of each. DH loves fruit and will eat it often, although sometimes he will go for days without eating any. I eat it on occasion.

Some of it is a year or two expired, yet when I open one of the older cans (try to rotate) it is always fine. I'm not sure how many cans we have (I will count soon) but I bet we have at least one can a week for a year.

We don't especially care for furit cocktail but I use it to make an occasional furit cocktail cake, which is very tasty.

I'm probably talking to the choir about this because I doubt any decent prepper throws out food just because it expires.

I know people that toss perfectly good food on the day it expires. These are some of the same people that won't eat wild game after it has been in the freezer for a few months and one or two of those people are on food stamps. I guess they just don't know any better.

Judy

 

[Kathy in FL]

If it is canned in glass it lasts a lot longer but I have found that some fruit develops a "tinny" taste 12 months in storage. You have to be real careful how you store commercially canned fruit. And if they have those blasted pop tops on them they last even less as the pop tops fail in my experience.

 

[summerthyme]

I agree about the possible "tinny" taste, but that shouldn't be dangerous.. just less appetizing. (Then again, heavy metal issues... I dunno) I've noticed that fruit in heavy syrup (rather than light syrup or even juice) keeps flavor and texture much longer. I suspect it's the acids in the juice... the syrup dilutes it.

That said, the only fruits I've had any problem with is pineapple in juice. Anything in heavy syrup was fine for at least 5 years. And I just discovered a pop top can of peaches dated 2014 (got shoved to the back of a top shelf)... they were fine.

Summerthyme

 

[WanderLore]

Depends on where it is stored too Judy, but I'm betting its ok. I have a step down large pantry built half under ground, when house was built a couple centuries ago LOL. It stays cool and cold in there year round. Have a freezer in there but also a dry freezer that doesn't work anymore, for dry goods not repacked. No problems with that and I use that a lot as its easier to put things there I use often.

 

[WanderLore]

well that's weird. double posted my message then posted empty post

 

[Marseydoats]

Judy, if you're worried about it you can always feed it to the chickens. Mine love any kind of fruit, especially peaches. They get anything that's questionable. I do take it outside before I open it, and I don't feed them anything in a bulging can. I've got some peaches that I probably need to get rid of. Dh just quit eating them for some reason.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't buy canned fruit very often. I do buy canned pineapple for my Hawaiian Aloha Bread loaves, though. I have had that go bad after a year or so. We try to grow our own fruit, or did, before the drought took out most of our orchard, pears, apples, and peaches.

 

[packyderms_wife]

In many places I've read that canned fruit doesn't last very long. Of course, I'm sure much of this is because "they" don't want people hanging onto canned fruit to sell more canned fruit. We get several cans of either peaches, pares and fruit cocktail every month in commodities, although the amount has been reduced drastically. Over time we have accumulated a good supply of each. DH loves fruit and will eat it often, although sometimes he will go for days without eating any. I eat it on occasion.

Some of it is a year or two expired, yet when I open one of the older cans (try to rotate) it is always fine. I'm not sure how many cans we have (I will count soon) but I bet we have at least one can a week for a year.

We don't especially care for furit cocktail but I use it to make an occasional furit cocktail cake, which is very tasty.

I'm probably talking to the choir about this because I doubt any decent prepper throws out food just because it expires.

I know people that toss perfectly good food on the day it expires. These are some of the same people that won't eat wild game after it has been in the freezer for a few months and one or two of those people are on food stamps. I guess they just don't know any better.

Judy

The government still gives out commodities?

 

[nomifyle]

The government still gives out commodities?

I think most of it comes from Catholic Charities. My aunt used to get that fab cheddar cheese from commodities back in the 80's. When we get meat it pretty much comes from different grocery stores, but we've been getting pork that could be from the government. The cheese now is like velvita, which I pretty much don't use. I get it away. Although since I'm making freezer meals I might do a big baked macaroni and cheese for the freezer.

Judy

 

[coloradohermit]

When I volunteered at the local emergency food pantry, we had USDA guidelines about the dates on canned foods. Low acid food with intact cans could be given out 5 years past the best by date. High acid foods with intact cans could only be given out 1 year past the best by date.