How to Ensure Safe Usage of Canned Foods?

Canned foods have gained immense popularity among homemakers for their convenience. However, not everyone knows how to use canned foods safely.

What is Canned Food?

Canning is a method employed to preserve food for an extended period by sealing it in airtight containers. It allows for the stability and safe consumption of food for 1-5 years. The canning process, developed in the late 18th century, was initially used to preserve food for the military during wars. The process may vary depending on the type of food, but generally involves three main steps:

- Preparation: The food undergoes peeling, dicing, slicing, mincing, bone filtering, or thorough cooking;

- Canning: The food is placed into sealed containers and tightly sealed;

- Heating: The containers are heated to a specific temperature to eliminate harmful bacteria and prevent food spoilage;

Various canned foods available in the market include fruits, vegetables, different legumes, soups, meats, and seafood.

What makes canned foods good or not-so-good?

Not-So-Good Canned Foods

Exercise caution with items boasting complex ingredients, such as pre-made soups and instant noodles, which often contain elevated levels of sodium and sugar. Both sodium and sugar are generally detrimental to health, and some canned foods exacerbate the issue by adding excessive amounts. For instance, canned soup can contain 2,175 milligrams of sodium, nearing the recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg for an average person.
Additionally, be wary of pickled fruits and vegetables in cans, as they may be saturated with salt or syrup, especially if they are peel-free. Instead, focus on items packed in water or fruit juice.

Furthermore, scrutinize the bisphenol (BPA) levels in canned products. Numerous studies indicate potential health implications, including DNA damage, tumor formation, and endocrine disruption.

Check the nutritional components as well as the sugar and salt levels in each canned food

Canned foods are beneficial

High-quality canned foods are those containing few ingredients. Pay attention to products labeled as ”rich in fiber,” ”high in calcium,” or ”the best source of vitamin C.” These products will provide at least 20% or more of the nutrients listed on the packaging that the body needs daily. When the label states ”primary source of…,” it means the product contains 10–19% of the necessary nutrients per person per day.

Canned products such as green beans and corn are excellent because, according to numerous studies, when frozen or canned, they still retain their original nutritional value

Using canned foods safely for your health

Considerations when selecting canned foods

- Avoid purchasing canned goods with only one month left until expiration, as the shelf life of canned items is usually long. Canned goods with low acidity, such as pork, beef, chicken, cereals, tomatoes, fresh vegetable juices, and pickles, typically have a shelf life of one year or more.

- When buying, carefully examine the information on the can's label, including nutritional value, ingredients, storage instructions, production date, and expiration date. Choose items with no sodium salt or low salt content.

- Avoid purchasing canned goods with damaged packaging, open seals, dents, or essential information on the product being erased or faded.

- High-quality canned goods produce a sharp sound when tapped. If the can lid is unusually swollen, inspect it. If it collapses when pressed and doesn't spring back, it's mechanically swollen, likely due to impact and can still be used. However, if you press firmly and the lid doesn't collapse or springs back to its original shape when you release it, it's microbiologically swollen. The food inside has been decomposed by microorganisms, producing gas, and is not safe for consumption.

- Choose canned foods from reputable brands available in large stores and supermarkets. Avoid purchasing products with unclear origins.

Note the tips for selecting canned products for a health-safe choice

Considerations when opening canned food

- Once opened, consume canned goods within a short period as bacteria from the surroundings can easily contaminate the food.

- Leftover opened canned items should be refrigerated; do not consume canned food beyond 24 hours after opening.

Considerations when consuming canned food

- Many people believe that canned food is ready to eat, so no further preparation is necessary. However, canned foods should be boiled and thoroughly cooked before consumption.

- When using canned meats, accompany them with fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement additional vitamins and fiber.

- Additionally, when using canned goods, we often have the habit of directly heating them at temperatures between 70-80 degrees Celsius. This is not advisable as the metal can melt, and its particles may seep into the food.

- To ensure safety, pour the contents out of the can and heat them on the stove.

Use canned goods suitable for your health condition

- 'In canned foods such as canned fish and meat, there is often a high content of fat or, depending on the product, salt and sugar. Therefore, it is important to consider which type of canned food is suitable for each individual and how much is enough,' noted Dr. Trần Thị Hồng Loan, a nutrition expert from NutiFood. For example, individuals with conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc., should limit their consumption of canned foods. Pregnant women and children should also restrict their intake of such foods. For children, it is advisable not to overuse canned goods. If giving canned food to children, choose items that have been pasteurized and heat-processed rather than those preserved with chemicals.

- To ensure safety, limit the use of canned foods to 1 or 2 times per month.

Use canned products that align with each person's health

Canned food remains a good choice, providing essential nutrients and extreme convenience in various situations: in places without access to fresh produce, without the means to cook, or for quick meals while traveling. Canned food can be part of a healthy diet only when manufacturers strictly adhere to regulations on processing, use appropriate amounts of salt, sugar, additives, and permitted preservatives. Be a savvy consumer to choose the best canned goods for yourself and your family!