Why is it necessary to heat canned food?!


Question: If I just heat canned food such as string beans, corn, carrots, etc...for less than the recommended time what is the difference? Most canned foods recommend heating for at least 3 mins to heat it thoroughly or in a pot until it starts to simmer. Will it be unsafe if I just heat it enough to be edible and not burning hot? Why is it even recommended to have heated at really high temp.?


Answers: If I just heat canned food such as string beans, corn, carrots, etc...for less than the recommended time what is the difference? Most canned foods recommend heating for at least 3 mins to heat it thoroughly or in a pot until it starts to simmer. Will it be unsafe if I just heat it enough to be edible and not burning hot? Why is it even recommended to have heated at really high temp.?

Since almost everything has natural bacteria in it, foods (especially high -protien foods like: meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, etc.) have to be properly handled to ensure that it is safe to eat.
Canned veggies have been cooked and should be okay to eat right out of the can (as in bean salad). If you want to be safest when eating anything that NEEDS to be reheated, an internal temperature of 140 degrees will kill the bacteria.
* canned food tip: never store unused food in the open can because the aluminum will affect the flavor.

I have eaten unheated stuff from cans on many occasions (in the Army for one) and never had any problems.

Tastes better and who likes cold string beans?

Actually, it really ISN'T necessary. It is mostly just because people prefer to eat heated food, but it does ensure any remaining germs are killed. Consider it a "better safe than sorry" measure, more so than a necessity.

it isnt a HAVE TO it just tastes 10 times better!

You don't have too...but it just taste better

It don't matter. If you like it cold, you can eat it cold. Have a nice meal.

it suiposedly kills germs but you dont need to it just tastes WAYY better

Re-heating is recommended because it will kill any bacteria that have grown in the food since the canning...
It is probably fine to eat without re-heating it, assuming it's before the expiration date! If you have eaten stuff halfway heated through and been fine, don't worry too much...

cold cans are safe to eat ..
hot is just more socially acceptable...

You don't Have to, think of canned olives and beets, and different fruits, and beans. I actually like cold corn right from the can as well as canned green beans. I also have been known to steal a bite or 2 of cold spagetti O's. Although cold ravioli's are not near as good.





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