Baseball mom 1,783 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 With home canned foods how old is to old to eat? Things like tomatoes, pickles, chili sauce (tomato relish type stuff that you put on peas), pepper sauce (vinegar and jalapenos or cayenne peppers). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Marmalade 3,218 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 I *think* the standard guidelines are around one year, but it's not due to potential food spoilage, just for quality purposes. I've eaten home canned pickles that are a good four years old with no problems- pickle relish that was five years old too now that I think about it. Editing to add from the National Center For Home Food Preservation: How long will canned food keep? Properly canned food stored in a cool, dry place will retain optimum eating quality for at least 1 year. Canned food stored in a warm place near hot pipes, a range, a furnace, or in indirect sunlight may lose some of its eating quality in a few weeks or months, depending on the temperature. Dampness may corrode cans or metal lids and cause leakage so the food will spoil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shellers 25 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 I've always heard one year is safe. My MIL doesn't toss anything out and will eat really old canned food. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LizzyBee 1,066 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 Properly canned food will stay good for years and years. Seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baseball mom 1,783 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Properly canned food will stay good for years and years. Seriously. This is what I always thought and have eaten stuff way older than a year. Honestly hadn't really thought about it until I was reading something and saw the year guideline. I usually go by smell/taste. Anyway I was just wondering. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ManagerMom 1,009 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Jackie Clay of Backwoods Home Magazine eats some really really old stuff. I have things that are two years old and they are fine. I have only been canning that long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Girls' Mom 6,268 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Generally, if it has been properly canned you'll know when it is no longer fit to eat. Bubbling in the jar, a bad smell, popped lids, and unusual discoloration are all indicators. Usually it is just a quality issue with age. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
