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In a post-apocalyptic but non-nuclear world, how long would canned food remain edible?
Pat French
Longdon-upon-Tern, Shropshire, UK
It depends on the can, the food in question and the method of storage before, during and after the apocalypse. Reactions can occur between substances within the tin, whether that is between the food contents or with the tin’s inner surface. Canned sardines in brine are more likely to degrade due to chemical reactions within the food than, say, canned peanut butter powder or sardines in oil.
Food cans are made of different alloys and other materials and have different internal coatings.…
