How long can you keep tinned prunes in the fridge?
In this brief guide we will address the question, “how long can you keep canned prunes in the fridge?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to store prunes for maximum shelf life and the nutritional benefits of prunes.
How long can you keep tinned prunes in the fridge?
An opened can of prunes will last for about 5-7 days in the fridge. Canned prunes have an acidic pH, which gives them a slight edge among other canned foods that have a lower pH. This is not just limited to prunes, as per USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) guidelines, canned foods with a high acid content last more than those with a low acidic content.
The best before date is the best approach when dealing with store bought items. This is the date before which your product will retain its best quality without any change in texture or flavour. However, it does not mean that your prunes will go immediately bad as soon as this date passes. They may not retain optimal quality after this date.
Dried, canned prunes can last for 6 months before opening in the pantry. Additionally, you can get another six month’s worth of shelf life by opening and transferring them into another perfectly sealed, air-tight container.
How long do prunes last?
Prunes are usually available in the dry form, and can last for up to 6 months in the pantry. In case of long term storage, you can refrigerate them for an additional 6 months. This is the time period for when prunes will remain at peak quality. They may be safe after this time but the quality won’t be the same.
How to store tinned prunes?
There are various ways in which you can store canned prunes. The best practice before you open canned prunes is to leave them in a cool, dry place where the temperature is below 75-degree fahrenheit.
Putting them in the refrigerator before opening is just a waste of space. Moreover, moist conditions may negatively affect the shelf life of prunes before opening the can. It is best to just leave the can as it was and store them in a dark place like a cupboard or a drawer.
Once opened, it is usually not ideal to keep them in the same can because once the can has been opened, it can not be sealed again .Therefore, it is recommended to transfer canned prunes into another airtight container and put them in the fridge.
Food handling practices are always very tricky, because you can never be too sure about when they were picked and how they were processed before they were packed in the can. This is why there are always recommendations based on the nature of the food product being handled, and no definite set of rules that will limit them to certain boundaries.
Knowing the key indicators to tell when your canned food has gone bad is of the essence. It is also important to note that canned food should not be stored in the freezer, because the freezer can damage the can. Consequently, compromising the quality of food product within the can.
How to tell if canned food is bad or spoiled?
Canned food mostly contains a brine mixture as preservative. This mixture helps the manufacturer in prolonging the shelf life of the food product. Additionally canned food also has some head space. Head space is the empty space between the lid and the juice to prevent the can from bursting when it is being distributed and transported.
Look for holes/rust.
If your canned food has some holes or rust on the inner side when you open the lid, it means that the quality of the food product has been compromised. Consuming such a food may negatively affect your health and you should toss it in the bin or return it to the shop owner if freshly bought.
Mold growth
Because of the high moisture content inside the can, there are greater chances of mould and bacteria to grow. If you see any visible growth besides the food product, you should immediately discard the can. Visible growth means either the can was punctured or that you let it out in the open for too long after opening.
Shrunken or inflated can
If the can is inflated or shrunken, it means that the integrity of the can was damaged during the handling or the distribution process. This affects the shelf life of the food product inside the can, and your product may expire even before the said “best by” date. You should not purchase a can that looks overly bloated or shrunken.
Intact sealing
Another common mistake is improper sealing. Note that the seal is where the lid of the can is present. An improper seal could be due to a malfunction in the machine that sealed it or due to poor handling practices during distribution. Remember that the seal is the weakest point of the can because it is supposed to be opened. If you notice the integrity of the seal compromised in any way, chances are that your food product is already spoiled, or will spoil before its “best by” date.
Health benefits of prunes
Prunes and prune juice is actually one of the magical fruits when it comes to health benefits. They help to strengthen the bones, the digestive system, and are rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium. Medically, prune juice is advised when there is an ongoing UTI (urinary tract infection). It helps to relieve the bladder pain and alleviates the urge to pee.
You can read more about the nutritional benefits of prunes here
Conclusion
In this brief guide we have addressed the question, “how long can you keep canned prunes in the fridge?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to store prunes for maximum shelf life and the nutritional benefits of prunes.
References
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/dangers-eating-opened-can-food-after-days-3510.html
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-long-can-canned-fruit-be-stored-in-the-refrigerator/
https://www.britannica.com/science/brine
