My dad thinks some canned goods that one of my sisters gave us can last a long time—over 10 years.
These are over 10 years old and God knows what’s in them. Are they still safe to consume. If not, how can I explain that they are unsafe in a way that my father can understand?
by GirlMayXXXX
13 Comments
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Kataracks106
Most of the Ball recipes will say how long they are good for, which is generally around 12-18 months. I usually make pickled things from that cookbook and can’t speak to the jam you appear to have in this picture.
GirlMayXXXX
For some reason, I can’t edit. So, I’ll add a forgotten detail. I don’t know if she followed actual recipes, we’ve all forgotten what’s in them due to age.
Firm_Garbage_889
If you dont know how old it is, or what it wven is. Its no good. Doesnt matter how good it smells or looks if they open it to tey and argue further. Just offer ti make more with them if that helps
Kitsufoxy
I mean… Last, sure. They appear to have not rotted. Do I think they’ve retained color and texture, however, not so much.
Did your dad ever suffer food insecurity? It can very much affect a persons relationship with food waste.
Personally, I’d just sneak them out one by one (seriously, if he was going to eat them I’d think he’d have done it before a decade had passed!) and sub them for something less… ready to attend middle school…
Awkward-Water-3387
My mom would can jelly and we would eat it for a few years! I don’t think I would want to eat anything else that was canned further than a year! I think Canning is meant to last from one gardening season to the next gardening season!
timespassing_
Dad is right. If they were safely processed and remained sealed, they’re safe.
ommnian
Eh… I have a jar of jalapeno jelly in my fridge right now I just opened this year from 2008… Jelly/jam is probably fine.
Easy_Key5944
If you don’t even know what’s in them you’re not gonna miss them. I know you’re talking about your dad here, so you might have to be tactical about throwing them out, but no one should be eating unlabeled canned goods of uncertain age.
Airregaithel
In 2016, I took an almost 20 year old jar of seedless strawberry preserves from my parents’ basement that was still firmly sealed and still quite nicely colored. I opened it up and smelled strawberry vinegar. I ended up using it as a marinade for a pork roast. It was delicious.
Would I do it again? Probably not. 😔
Kashmir79
Sure they are probably safe. Guidelines are to prevent one in a million chances of something bad happening with 100% assurance. When you go longer than 2 years you are rolling some dice that are extremely in your favor
jh937hfiu3hrhv9
Offer to buy them for jar value and return them with fresh produce.
13 Comments
Hi u/GirlMayXXXX,
For accessibility, please reply to this comment with a transcription of the screenshot or alt text describing the image you’ve posted. Thank you!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Canning) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Most of the Ball recipes will say how long they are good for, which is generally around 12-18 months. I usually make pickled things from that cookbook and can’t speak to the jam you appear to have in this picture.
For some reason, I can’t edit. So, I’ll add a forgotten detail. I don’t know if she followed actual recipes, we’ve all forgotten what’s in them due to age.
If you dont know how old it is, or what it wven is. Its no good. Doesnt matter how good it smells or looks if they open it to tey and argue further. Just offer ti make more with them if that helps
I mean… Last, sure. They appear to have not rotted.
Do I think they’ve retained color and texture, however, not so much.
Did your dad ever suffer food insecurity? It can very much affect a persons relationship with food waste.
Personally, I’d just sneak them out one by one (seriously, if he was going to eat them I’d think he’d have done it before a decade had passed!) and sub them for something less… ready to attend middle school…
My mom would can jelly and we would eat it for a few years! I don’t think I would want to eat anything else that was canned further than a year! I think Canning is meant to last from one gardening season to the next gardening season!
Dad is right. If they were safely processed and remained sealed, they’re safe.
Eh… I have a jar of jalapeno jelly in my fridge right now I just opened this year from 2008… Jelly/jam is probably fine.
If you don’t even know what’s in them you’re not gonna miss them. I know you’re talking about your dad here, so you might have to be tactical about throwing them out, but no one should be eating unlabeled canned goods of uncertain age.
In 2016, I took an almost 20 year old jar of seedless strawberry preserves from my parents’ basement that was still firmly sealed and still quite nicely colored. I opened it up and smelled strawberry vinegar. I ended up using it as a marinade for a pork roast. It was delicious.
Would I do it again? Probably not. 😔
Sure they are probably safe. Guidelines are to prevent one in a million chances of something bad happening with 100% assurance. When you go longer than 2 years you are rolling some dice that are extremely in your favor
Offer to buy them for jar value and return them with fresh produce.
Superglue the lids on. Jk. I would toss them