Subject: Old Canned Food

From: [email-masked] (Henry Hillbrath)
Date: 4 Apr 1995 18:38:54 -0500

Hi!

I am interested in the shelf life of preserved food, particularly food 
that can be stored at room temperature, and specifically canned food.

I have already done some research on this, and, my usual bull dog style, 
I will "run it to ground."

I know that the FDA only allows claims of a few years for shelf life, but 
I am not interested in "best quality" but emergency conditions. I am also 
not interested in improperly canned food, botulinum, etc. but "best SOA."

I am also not concerned about the fine points of "nutritional value," 
only with "prompt effects," (i. e. starvation).

I would particularly like documentation of any canned food of "great" 
age, which was eaten without ill effects. 

Also, any other food, of any kind.

I have two examples (don't have cites handy), on canned food of 
approximately 130 years of age, one which was eaten, and was 
satisfactory, and one that "looked good," but wasn't eaten. 
Unfortunately, for my particular interest, the first was the rations of 
an  arctic expedition, and was therefore frozen for the whole storage 
time. 

Henry Hillbrath

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From: [email-masked] (Steve4)
Date: 5 Apr 1995 20:33:48 GMT

In <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Brian Funk) writes: 

>
>Henry Hillbrath ([email-masked]) wrote:
>Hi!
>
Henry Hillbrath

The following is excerpted from the book "The Art and Science of 
Dumpster Diving" by John Hoffmen, published by Loompanics Unlimited 
copyright 1993 by John Hoffman.

I've read the book cover to cover and highly reccommend it, not only for 
its humor value but for its practical value as well.  Here is what John 
says about canned goods:

"Because of the durable nature of canned and dry goods, these items are 
not disgarded as frequently as produce, dairy, or frozen foods."

"...I become more excited about canned foods because these items can be 
stored for a long, long time."

"Often you'll find cans that are dented or bloated into interesting 
shapes.  This may be the most shocking claim in this book, and I know 
many of you will shake your head in disbelief, but here it is:  MOST OF 
THE TIME THE FOOD IN THESE CANS IS O.K."

"Most of the time I'll open a "bloated" can and find grapes, pineapple, 
fruit cocktail or some other fruit juice.  Tasting the juice after 
carefully smelling the contents, I find it has a alight "kick" due to 
fermentation.  I was told ny a cannery supervisor that "low canning heat 
can cause on'shelf fermentation."  Thus the football shape."

Jonh goes on to describe eating tuna out of a dented can and fruit 
cocktail ot if a bloated can.  

CAUTION!!! - DO NOT EAT MEAT PRODUCTS OUT OF BLOATED CANS!!!

Dented cans are O.K. to eat.  Let your nose be the judge.

He also goes on to describe the variow bacteria that can form in 
inproperly canned food and the effect it would have on the human body.

He also alluded to at least nine months of shelf time before some canned 
food was ingested.

Get the book, you'll enjoy it.

Steve

--
Steve Fischer       ][Federal Regulations prohibit a kite within 500
[email-masked]][feet of a cloud.

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From: [email-masked] (Steve4)
Date: 5 Apr 1995 20:33:48 GMT

Henry Hillbrath

Steve