What is the difference?

[JoJo]

I'm a newbe so if this question has already been asked, forgive me.
What is the difference in longevity between food packed in cans from your local supermarket and food in cans bought from a survival outfit? To me it seems that there shouldn't be any.

[Burt Gummer]

The majority of that type of food is going to be dehydrated or shelf stable. The lack of moisture prevents bacterial growth and extends shelf life.

[JohnyMac]

Yup Burt is correct.

On another note: In the USofA it use to be that most companies had their own date stamp coding but of recent everybody seems to be spelling out the canned date or good to date now.

On company canned veggies I tend to rotate through them by the second birthday of the purchase of the can. On home canned jars I try to use before the first birthday.

Remember, it is A-OK to buy and use dented cans. I actually buy those from the bargain section of the grocery store, before I go down the canned veggie aisle to buy them at full pop. On the other hand, bulging cans are not good to eat.

[brat]

JoJo, it's my understanding that the freeze dried last the longest, then the dehydrated (I suppose that's debatable depending on the moisture content) and then the stuff you buy local. But as far as the dates on your canned goods, before you start chunking them, here's a couple of articles to read. May help some....

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

http://www.prepper-resources.com/canned-food-expiration-date-myth/

There's other pages pertaining to this as well. Just do a quick search.

[JoJo]

Thanks guys, you've been a big help.

[Nemo]

Most stuff nowadays have a 1 year or less expiration date on them.  Thanks to the government.  While the majority of steel canned stuff will be good for 10+ years easy.  They may lose some taste or appearance but will maintain substantially all of their food and nutritional value.

Same with prescription meds.  Most antibiotics will maintain effectiveness exceeding 90% for 10+ years easy.  And most other things as well.

 Say thank you to the FDA for a maximum 1 year expiration date on stuff not specifically processed for long term storage.

Nemo

[JohnyMac]

There is nothing better than a vacuum sealer. Lets see you can vacuum seal:

> Matches
> Medications
> Seeds
> .22LR ammo
> dehydrated stuff
> Survival kit...

You get my drift, the uses are endless.

[thedigininja]

Remember, it is A-OK to buy and use dented cans. . .On the other hand, bulging cans are not good to eat.

With dented cans just be sure that there is no actual damage to the can. If any air can get in it's screwed.

All our unused, sealed medication (blister packs) go straight into the BOB because while I can get fresh meds I will but the "old" stuff will always come in handy in a pinch. Unfortunately I never saved the link but I read an article recently on a forgotten military store that was rediscovered in the States somewhere where the meds were 20+ years old and still fine. Not 100% effective but better than nothing and definitely not "toxic" in anyway as some may suggest.

I REALLY NEED to get a good vacuum sealer. I've been threatening to and I'm very upset that I got rid of mine when my catering business closed.

[Burt Gummer]

There is nothing better than vavacuum sealer. Lets see you can vacuum seal:

I've been meaning to get one Jmac, would you mind putting together a little buyers guide based on your experience?

[JohnyMac]

Just saw this Burt...Sorry for my tardiness.

My brother and I are currently using the Food Saver V345. You know "one is none and two is one" thought process. On a 1-5 scale with 5 being the best I would rate the unit a "3". The unit works flawlessly and I have used it for 4 or so years now; however the only think it does is vacuum seal bags.

There are many other vacuum sealers out there that will do more then just vacuum seal bags as can be seen by going to the FoodSaver site.

Remember that the purchase of a vacuum sealer is only part of the cost. The bags that you use are pricy and tend to cost on average about $1.00 per bag. I buy rolls vs. bags because with a roll you can use just what you need vs. a bag which you are locked into the size. Of course the company advertises that your food will last 5x's longer if it is vacuum sealed. 

With me the "proof is always in the pudding" and I will say that meat frozen in a vacuum sealed bag does last longer. I have not been able to buy a half a steer or a whole pig yet this year (Crap!) so I am buying beef and other protein when on sale afrom the super market. Items I will be keeping longer then lets say 3 months, I vacuum seal. Items that I will use more quickly I either freeze in the stores packaging (Will be used in 2 weeks or less) or wash and transfer to a freezer zip lock bag and use in three months or less.

When I have a deer processed I pay a little extra to have the steaks, loin and stew meat packaged in vacuum sealed bags from the butcher.

Well that's food. We vacuum freeze non-food items two like:

> Medicins
> Seeds
> Strike anywhere matches
> Black Powder still in their can
> .22LR's...A quick story here. My brother ALWAYS vacuum sealed blocks of .22LR's. I use to think he was wacko
                  doing so until two years ago. I was shooting my AR with a .22LR conversion bolt. Well the fired .22's
                  wouldn't cycle. My brother laughed and grabbed a box of vacuumed sealed .22's that was five or so
                  years old of the same name brand and style as I was shooting. Every shot hence forward cycled
                  through my AR with no issues.
> Home made survival kits
> Underwater demo fuse
> The list goes on...

My point is that vacuum sealing isn't just for food anymore. 

I hope I have answered some of your questions Burt along with forum members. I am in no way an expert just a guy who uses his vacuum sealer often. 

[brat]

+1 on FoodSaver. Like Jmac, I use it for sealing a lot of stuff other than just food. I like the model I have because you can seal mason jars as well. They have a lot of attachments, of course for more money, but they can be useful. I have this one...

http://www.foodsaver.com/vacuum-sealers/T000-33270-P.html#start=13&sz=12