Can you eat spam out of the can?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can you eat spam out of the can?” and discuss is it good or bad for you?

Can you eat spam out of the can?

Yes, you can eat spam out of the can. Spam is a processed meat and thus preserved through the action of sodium, which is added to the product in high concentrations, and through sterilization, a thermal processing used to ensure destruction of pathogenic bacteria (5).

Spam is usually a combination of beef or pork shoulder, salt, sodium nitrate, potato starch, and water, that are available from several producers in the United States. Spam has a long shelf life and does not require refrigeration (1).

Is it safe to eat spam out of the can?

Yes, it is safe to eat spam out of the can with no further processing or cooking techniques, because spam has been sterilized.

In the sterilizing process, meat is heated by heating in steam at 116°C or higher, in order to kill the spores of Clostridium botulinum which can grow under anaerobic conditions after being sealed in a coated steel container (3). 

Tin is used to coat cans used to process meat, preventing them from corroding. An unopened and uncorrupted can of processed meat is therefore stable at room temperature for prolonged periods of time. 

In addition to the safety ensured by the sterilization, processed meats contain high concentrations of salt, which acts in reducing water activity of the product, thus preventing microbial growth. Because Clostridium botulinum and other pathogenic bacteria are able to produce spores which may grow under certain circumstances, the presence of sodium would prevent this to occur.

The water activity of a food is the amount of unbound water available for microbial growth and chemical reactions. By reduced water availability, microorganisms are unable to multiply.

What are the risks of eating Spam out of the can?

The risks of consuming spam out of the can without heating it first may happen when the spam has been previously opened and stored. 

Properly processed and canned food will be sterile and considered safe and can be stored at room temperature for long periods without spoiling or causing risk. Once the can is opened, the food is susceptible to contamination by external microorganisms. 

These microorganisms are capable of growing in food and producing toxins or contaminating the individual who consumes the food. Therefore, canned food products should be consumed immediately after opening. If food is stored and not consumed immediately after opening, it may pose a risk to the consumer (6).

Once the canned spam is opened and not entirely consumed, it should be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum period of 4 days, or in the freezer for 3 months, in a covered container. Then, it should be reheated to a temperature of 165°F or above (8).

Opened and stored canned food are susceptible to microbial contamination, which may cause foodborne illnesses. Foodborne illness occurs when a pathogen is ingested with food and establishes itself (and usually multiplies) in the human host, or when a toxigenic pathogens establishes itself in a food product and produces a toxin, which is then ingested by the human host (7).

Clostridium botulinum, C. perfringens, Bacillus subtilus, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Yersinia enterocolitica are included within the most common microorganisms causing foodborne poisoning worldwide. Symptoms of foodborne illnesses include abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea, vomiting, fever, muscular pain, headache and others.

Should you eat Spam out of the can?

Yes, you should eat spam out of the can. Spam is a good source of fats and proteins and contains low amounts of carbohydrates. However, you should eat spam with moderation.

Processed meat refers to all meat items that are processed for preservation by salting, curing (addition of NaCl containing nitrite or nitrate), smoking, marinating or cooking, or those that have been bought as a ready-to-eat product (2). 

High consumption of processed meat products has been associated with adverse health effects such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer announced that they classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans”, based on sufficient evidence that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer in humans (2).

In a study, the consumption of processed meat, such as spam, but not unprocessed red meat, was associated with higher risk of diabetes in American Indians, a rural population at high risk of diabetes and with limited access to healthy foods (1). 

Due to the high amount of sodium, you should eat spam with moderation. Salt is included in spam to create special physical properties, such as increased water binding in the muscle tissues, leading to increased yields (more product to sell) and greater tenderness; and to reduce the risk of microbial growth, increasing its shelf life at room temperature.

However, the ingestion of sodium through the ingestion of processed meats may lead to elevated blood pressure (hypertension), which is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke and coronary heart disease) (4).

In addition, high consumption of processed meat products has been associated with adverse health effects such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer announced that they classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans”, based on sufficient evidence that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer in humans (5).

What is the Nutrient Content of Spam?

The nutrient content of spam are mainly fat and proteins, as spam is a processed meat product. Spam is usually a combination of beef or pork shoulder, salt, sodium nitrate, potato starch, and water.

According to the USDA, 100 g of spam contains the following nutrients: 315 calories, 13.4 g proteins, 26.6 g lipids, 4.6 g carbohydrates,  0.64 mg Iron, 14 mg Magnesium, 151 mg Phosphorus, 409 mg Potassium, 1410 mg sodium.

Unopened cans, on the other hand, can be kept for two to five years at room temperature, according to the USDA. 

Other FAQs about Spam that you may be interested in.

Can you eat spam on keto?

Can you eat spam raw?

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat spam out of the can?” and we discussed is it good or bad for you?

Reference

1. Fretts, Amanda M., et al. Associations of processed meat and unprocessed red meat intake with incident diabetes: the Strong Heart Family Study. Am j clin nutr, 2012, 95, 752-758. 
2. Shan, Liran Christine, et al. Consumer preferences towards healthier reformulation of a range of processed meat products: A qualitative exploratory study. Brit Food J, 2017.
3. Warriss, Paul D. Meat science. Cabi, 2000.
4. Boon, Caitlin S., Christine L. Taylor, and Jane E. Henney, eds. Strategies to reduce sodium intake in the United States. 2010.
5. Shan, Liran Christine, et al. Consumer preferences towards healthier reformulation of a range of processed meat products: A qualitative exploratory study. Brit Food J, 2017.
6. Betts, Roy. Microbial update. Int Food Hygiene, 2014, 19, 3.
7. Bintsis, Thomas. Foodborne pathogens. AIMS microbiol, 2017, 3, 529.
8. Leftovers and food safety. United States Department of Agriculture.