Can i eat a tin of soup past its best before date?

Bongedone

mexicanwaver wrote: »

10 tins?

To be on the safe side, don't eat them all at once

Visions of a mixing bowl full of soup and a loaf of bread.

pigpen

can't we make it a washing up bowl for added hygiene?? lol Oh and furry bread with the fur rubbed off!!

Enjoy!!

oscar52

You should NEVER eat food from a tin if its "past the use by date"

While its true the food is edible for "years", the date doesnt refer to the quality of the food, but to the coating on the inside of the can. Most cans are made of Aluminium which is toxic in certain quantities, hence the coating on the inside of the can (usually tin). The coating gets eroded by acids in the food itself, which over time exposes the aluminium which then dissolves into the food which you then eat.

For the same reason, you should never eat food from a blown or dented can - the aluminium has been exposed to the food.

free4440273

^thanks for that info, very useful. this might sound really stupid - and it probably is - what do you mean by 'exposed'. why is the aluminum not already exposed when the contents of the food are in the tin as is. why is it only exposed if it's dented?? thanks

Bongedone

free4440273 wrote: »

^thanks for that info, very useful. this might sound really stupid - and it probably is - what do you mean by 'exposed'. why is the aluminum not already exposed when the contents of the food are in the tin as is. why is it only exposed if it's dented?? thanks

The inside lining can crack. Look next time you open a tin.

free4440273

Bongedone wrote: »

The inside lining can crack. Look next time you open a tin.

got it now. know exactly what you mean; the crack can appear 'rusty' also. thanks

Poet_2

oscar52 wrote: »

You should NEVER eat food from a tin if its "past the use by date"

While its true the food is edible for "years", the date doesnt refer to the quality of the food, but to the coating on the inside of the can. Most cans are made of Aluminium which is toxic in certain quantities, hence the coating on the inside of the can (usually tin). The coating gets eroded by acids in the food itself, which over time exposes the aluminium which then dissolves into the food which you then eat.

For the same reason, you should never eat food from a blown or dented can - the aluminium has been exposed to the food.

sorry to be suspicious but I am. What source did you get this info from?

you see, I found this...

"26.) What causes the inside of tin cans to discolor?
The discoloration is called detinning. Detinning is an interaction between an acidic product such as tomatoes, juices, pickles and sauerkraut, the tin-plate and a small amount of oxygen that is left remaining in the can after it is sealed. This reaction will continue until the oxygen is depleted. The appearance is unpleasant, but it is not harmful in any way."

here http://www.stopandshop.com/about/faqs.htm#26

which contradicts what you say.

I'm not out to prove you wrong, just to know for sure if it's safe or not.

thanks

oh, and I don't think chicken big soup would be that acidic would it?

Anyway, I'll wait for your answer, if it comes from the food standards agency then I'll believe you

oscar52

25.) How long are canned goods safe on my shelf?
The canning process sterilizes the food, so if the seal is unbroken the product remains sterile. Cans stored in a cool dry place will stay safe indefinitely. For best quality, however, use high acid foods such as tomatoes, sauerkraut or fruits within two years of purchase. For low acid foods such as meats, tuna fish and most vegetables use within five years of purchase. Look for rust, corrosion, severe dents on a seam, or swelling. Be sure the cans are not stored in a garage or somewhere that they might be frozen.

above is from the same site...

What you say above is true, but if cans are dented there can be microscopic breaks in the seal - enough to let fresh air in.

Also, Acidic corrosion doesnt require oxygen/air to occur.

Poet_2

thanks, it's just you said NEVER eat food from a tin that is past its sell by which isn't strictly true as that says it's ok within 5 years of purchase (well low acid foods, like chicken soup anyway). Sell by dates are normally about 2 years from purchase. Your quoted chunk also says it will stay "safe" indefinitely. The issue of when to eat is a quality one, not a safety one.

I'd still like to know your source, if that's okay?

Now, as for dented tins, I wonder why supermarkets sell dented tins if it's such a danger, surely the FSA wouldn't allow it?

Poet_2

p.s. i've just noticed, it says look for dents on a seam, i think if it's dented elsewhere there isn't a problem.