Preserving Food for 100 Years? . . . Indefinitely?

A Food and Drug Administration Article about a shelf life test that was conducted on 100-year old canned foods that were retrieved from the Steamboat Bertrand can be read at the following link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070509153848/http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00043.html

Following is a brief summary of a very small portion of the above article:

"Among the canned food items retrieved from the Bertrand in 1968 were brandied peaches, oysters, plum tomatoes, honey, and mixed vegetables. In 1974, chemists at the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) analyzed the products for bacterial contamination and nutrient value. Although the food had lost its fresh smell and appearance, the NFPA chemists detected no microbial growth and determined that the foods were as safe to eat as they had been when canned more than 100 years earlier. _Grandpappy Shelflife

So food that is carefully canned and stored may still be safe to eat 100 years later! But here is something even more impressive: Hormel Foods says their canned meats can stay safe to eat indefinitely!

"What is the shelf life of a Hormel Foods product in an unopened can?

The processing techniques utilized by Hormel Foods makes the canned product safe for use indefinitely if the product seal remains intact, unbroken and securely attached to a can that has been well maintained. It is suggested that all canned products be stored in a cool and dry environment to keep the flavor adequately preserved. For maximum flavor it is recommended that the product be used within three years of the manufacturing date. After that period of time, the product is still safe to use however, the flavor gradually declines."

These products include the following among many others:

Dinty Moore Beef Stew 
Dinty Moore Chicken Stew 
Hormel Corned Beef 
Hormel Corned Beef Hash_Wilderness Survival

Hormel suggests eating their canned foods within a few years, however, for maximum taste and nutritive value.

9 foods that can outlast you...

Information on food radiation, which improves shelf life......more here

General discussion of shelf life of a range of foods and beverages

Food Product Design archives of news articles on shelf life

Surprising foods you can freeze to eat or drink later . . .

Conventional ways of preserving foods include canning, freezing, drying, salting, freeze-drying, vacuum packing, nitrogen packing, and smoking, among others. But irradiating foods can become a useful additional way of extending the shelf life of foods.

Under the old regime of psychological neotenates, it would be unheard of for a prepper group or a survival compound to have its own food irradiator. But we are approaching the days of "the dangerous child," which is likely to change everything.

Remember: It is never too late to have a dangerous childhood.