It’s important to have food on hand in case something like a natural disaster hits and there is a shortage on food. Suggest storing canned food in a self storage unit. Just make sure you check the rules and regulation of storing canned food with the self storage company by contacting them before making an informed decision. Now, there are several factors that limit the shelf-life of canned food you should be aware:

• Cans or metals lids on glass jars can rust. This means that when the rust is deep enough, tiny holes can open in the can or lid that will possibly let spoilage agents in.
• Can erosion. This can happen to food with high acidity (such as canned tomatoes and fruit juices) and food reacts chemically with the metal container. After several years, the taste and texture of the food will change and can lowers the nutritional value of the food.
• Temperature over 100 degree Fahrenheit are very harmful to canned foods. Anything above 75 degree that is prolonged, canned food can lose its nutritional value

If you still want to store canned food somewhere, here are some wise guidelines to follow:

• Make sure you store your canned food in a cool, clean, dry place where the temperatures are below 85 degree (even better if it’s 50-70 degree). Make sure it is not at freezing temperatures!
• Rotate your food! This means that you leave the oldest in the front and newest in the back according to expiration date. Try not to keep canned foods more than one year!
• Canned meats and seafood should be use within 12 months.
• Low-acid canned foods should be use within 8-12 months.
• High-acid food should be use within 12-18 months.
• Food stored longer will be safe to eat, just make sure that the cans show no signs of spoilage or damage. Although it may deteriorate in color, flavor, and nutritive favlue.
• Canned fruit juices can be stored up to 3 years.

There you have it, a few basic guidelines on making sure you get the best out of your canned food when in storage. Just don’t forget to do a routine check-up on your canned food and not forget about the expiration date on them.