How old is too old for tinned pulses?

Loadsabob

I've had a bit of a search and can't find anything on here on this...or anything specific online.

How safe is it to use tinned pulses well after the use-by date? I have one of black-eye beans and one of butter beans, both two years out of date...but I have always thought tinned food lasts forever, and is hoarded by people for times of Armegeddon. Not much use if they're all going to rot!!

Any thoughts? My boyfriend wouldn't take the risk, but I would be inclined to do so. Not that I'm too tight to buy replacements, I just hate the waste!

littlereddevil

I would be like you and take the chance.
Years ago there were no dates on cans.

tr3mor

Open them up, they should be fine. If the can is full of green mouldy sludge don't use it

squeaky

There's info on This Page that has advice.

Loadsabob

Thanks Squeaky - I threw that site up in my Google Search! As they're tinned, I guess they're probably "best before" not "use by" - so my health may not be at risk...I wondered whether any of you guys has a lived-to-tell-the-tale experience?!!

I think I will look up home-canning, big in the USA, and see how long they think such stuff lasts...

I have found a site that talks of "canning" (jars, really, in the states) - they say correctly "canned" foor keeps indefinitely...hhmmnnn...I may open it. I may get scared, because they're pulses, and throw them away. WHY I didn't use them two years ago I don't know!...

raeble

I remember hearing that they found tins of corned beef from the 19th century in the sixties - they scientifically tested it and they were fine. I'm not recommending you leave them that long though!

Queenie

Do bear in mind the condition of the actual tin!

If the tin is showing any signs of rust - which can happen even before the "Best Before" expiry if it's been near any damp - then the chances are the contents have spoiled anyway!

If it is dented, then the inner membrane will be compromised and will also have an effect on the "best before".

With most things "foodie" - use your senses: sight, smell, taste and common.

squeaky

raeble wrote:

I remember hearing that they found tins of corned beef from the 19th century in the sixties - they scientifically tested it and they were fine. I'm not recommending you leave them that long though!

I seem to remember one where they found food stocks from an old arctic expedition. It wasn't just the tinning process that kept the food here it was the fact that they were sitting in the second biggest deep freeze on the planet. Would that be the same one you're thinking of?

Loadsabob

I wasn't brave enough...I have thrown them away...I can't imagine tinned pulses EVER being in the house as long as those ones again! WHY did I buy butter beans? I NEVER buy them!....probably planned to make a carrot and butterbean soup...we live and learn!