Store home-canned foodsexternal icon for recommended times only. After preparing safely, label and date the jars and store them in a clean, cool, dark place. For best quality, store between 50°F and 70°F. Can no more food than you will use within one year, unless directions for a specific food give other advice.
Before you open a store-bought or home-canned food, inspect it for contamination. Suspect contamination if the container:
- Is leaking, has bulges, or is swollen
- Looks damaged or cracked
If you think the food might be contaminated, do not open the container and throw it out!
Even containers that look fine on the outside might have contaminated food inside. Suspect contamination if:
- The container spurts liquid or foam when you open it
- The food inside is discolored, moldy, or smells bad
If your container or the food inside have any of these signs of contamination, throw it out! Follow the instructions below to throw the food out safely. These actions will help you prevent people and animals from accidentally coming into contact with food that may be contaminated.
