Are canned mushrooms safe to eat? (5 health benefits)

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question, “Are canned mushrooms safe to eat?” We will also discuss the health benefits and risks of eating canned mushrooms. We will also talk about how you can safely store canned mushrooms.

Are canned mushrooms safe to eat?

Yes. Canned mushrooms are safe to eat because they are canned at high temperatures, which kill harmful bacteria and enzymes. Canned mushrooms are made by chopping fresh mushrooms and putting them in water or brine. The cans are then sealed and put through a pressurized canning process (1).

How to safely eat canned mushrooms?

To safely eat canned mushrooms, inspect cans for integrity, like damages and leakage. After opening, examine mushrooms, for off-odors, discoloration, sliminess, or mold growth (10).

Make sure to properly store canned mushrooms after opening, and to cook and consume them promptly to avoid any risks of contamination (1,4). 

What are the benefits of eating canned mushrooms?

The nutritional value of canned mushrooms is the same as that of fresh mushrooms (2,3).

  • Enhance your digestive system: The fiber of canned mushrooms helps to keep your digestive tract in good shape. Fiber is required by the body to bulk up feces and allow it to move more easily through the digestive tract. 

  • Assist in the development of stronger bones and teeth: Although calcium is the most important mineral for bone health, minerals like phosphorus are also necessary for strong bones. Mushrooms are high in phosphorus, which helps to maintain bone and tooth health.

  • Assist you in maintaining a healthy weight: If you’re watching your weight, mushrooms are a great option. They’re high in nutrients and add flavor and texture to your recipes without adding a lot of calories.

  • Provide you with extra energy: Eating tinned mushrooms may make you feel more energized and ready to take on the day. They contain the vitamins niacin and riboflavin, which are necessary for your body’s energy production.

  • Assist your heart: Potassium is a mineral found in canned mushrooms that have been linked to a lower risk of hypertension and heart disease.

What are the risks of eating canned mushrooms?

If canned mushrooms are open, you should take into account the possibility of microbial contamination. Once the can is open, the protective hermetic seal is compromised, allowing potentially harmful microorganisms to enter and grow (1,4).

Additionally, if food is improperly canned or preserved, there is a potential risk of botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum. The spore of this bacterium is widespread in the environment and can survive in low-acid, anaerobic conditions, such as improperly canned food (1,5).  

How can you safely store canned mushrooms?

To safely store canned mushrooms, refrigerate and securely cover any canned mushrooms that have been opened.  It is not recommended to store canned food in cans because of metal corrosion, so refrigerate them in a sealed plastic or glass or container after opening to extend their shelf life. Refrigerated canned mushrooms will keep for 3 to 4 days (1,6,7). 

Open-canned mushrooms can be frozen to extend their shelf life. Freeze canned mushrooms, in closed airtight containers or ziplock bags. After freezing and thawing, mushrooms will have a softer texture; thawed mushrooms are best used in heated foods such as sauces, soups, and casseroles (1,7).

Canned mushrooms that have been defrosted in the refrigerator can be saved for an additional 3 to 4 days before being used; mushrooms that have been thawed in the microwave or cold water must be used then and there, but should now be refrozen (1,7).

How to tell if canned mushrooms have spoiled?

To tell if canned mushrooms have spoiled, you should first check the can condition before buying or eating. If you see holes, inflated or shrunken on the can, it means its integrity was damaged. If you also see any visible growth, it means the can was punctured, or maybe you left out open for too long (1,9).

You can also inspect other signs of spoilage, such as bad odor, flavor, or texture, or if mold forms, in this case, please throw the canned food away (1,10).

All mushrooms in cans or containers that are leaking, rusted, bulging, or excessively dented should be discarded (1,9).

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question, “Are canned mushrooms safe to eat?” We also discussed the health benefits and risks of eating canned mushrooms. We also talked about how you can safely store canned mushrooms.

References

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References

1.-

USDA. Shelf-Stable Food Safety. 2013.

2.-

Venturella G, Ferraro V, Cirlincione F, Gargano ML. Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci. 2021, 10;22(2):634

3.-

Kumar K, Mehra R, Guiné RPF, et al. Edible Mushrooms: A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds with Health Benefits and Processing Aspects. Foods. 2021, 4;10(12):2996. 

4.-

Bintsis T. Foodborne pathogens. AIMS Microbiol. 2017, 3(3),529-563.

5.-

USDA. Clostridium botulinum. 2010.

7.-

Deshwal GK, Panjagari NR. Review on metal packaging: materials, forms, food applications, safety and recyclability. J Food Sci Technol. 2020, 57(7), 2377-2392.