How long does canned food keep?
The official line is two years, but canned food can stay fresh for much longer than that. There will be a “best before” date stamped on the lid or base of the can. If you use canned food after the best-before date, cook it first and make sure it simmers for five minutes. Canned or fresh: what’s the difference? Very little, say nutritionists. Some canned vegetables and fruit lose a little of their folic acid and vitamin C, but other nutrients and fibre remain intact. What else is in the can? Salt is almost always added to vegetables; check the levels on the label if you have concerns about this. The recommended daily salt allowance for adults is 6g. Canned fruit and some vegetables (notably sweetcorn) may contain added sugar, although it is possible to buy fruit preserved in natural juice. Colourings and flavourings may be added. If canned peas are bright green, their tones have probably been perked up with Brilliant Blue (E133) and Green S (E142). Watch out for the problem colourings T
