zxcvbob wrote:
[snip preceding]
> Then maybe you'd care to explain what the obvious risk of using an
> opened can for storing food in the refrigerator is? (Hint: I've
> already explained in an earlier post why it's not risky. You might
> want to refer to that.)
>
Well, let's just think about it for a minute instead of citing
anecdotal experience or industry lawyers. The ideal refrigerator
storage container will be of material that won't react with the food,
will be airtight, and will minimize the volume of air inside the
container, right? The first is no problem for cans because they don't
use the wrong material (any more) to begin with. The second depends on
how you cover the can--paper, baggie, plastic, foil--and how tightly
you seal it. In most cases, a real storage container will win this
competition. The third factor depends on how much is left in the can
versus how well-sized to the contents is the separate container. I'd
guess the can loses this comparison more often than it wins. So,
storing unused food in its can probably is a little bit inferior to
using a separate container, if the time period is long enough. That's
usually quite a few days for most foods.

The can has one big advantage: when the food does go bad you can just
throw the whole thing away. You don't have to deal with scraping out
yucky stuff and then thoroughly washing the container.

None of this matters to the anal personality type whose refrigerator is
tidy and organized with everything in its proper container and every
container in its proper place. I used to know one of those, but
thankfully she left my life.

-aem