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Canned foods have been popular around the globe for hundreds of years, and their business is growing by leaps and bounds with each passing year. However, some people still have mixed views about the nutritional value of the food items packed in them and various other aspects. Some believe that canned foods have less nutritional value than fresh food items and some believe that things are 100% okay with these ready-to-eat foods. This blog post tries to shed light on everything that you need to know about canned foods in the following points:
What are Canned Foods?
Before digging deeper into the topic, let’s take a concise look at what canned foods really are. Canning is one of the most popular methodologies of preserving a large number of food items for longer durations by carrying out their packaging in high-quality food-grade airtight containers made of different
metal Sheets. The history of canning dates back to the late 18th century when containers made of different metals were used to supply stable food items to soldiers and sailors at war. As far as the process of canning is concerned, it can drastically vary as per the nature of the food to be packed, but more or less, it involves the following 3 steps:
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Processing - all types of food items that need to be packed are peeled, sliced, chopped, shelled, and cooked.
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Sealing - in the sealing process, all the food items are sealed in high-quality containers or cans.
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Heating – all the containers are heated to a certain temperature intending to kill all the harmful bacteria as well as to prevent any instance of spoilage.
All these procedures are carried out so that the food items packed can be shelf-stable offering ease of consumption for longer durations. Some of the most common examples of canned foods include:
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Fruits
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Vegetables
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Beans
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Soups
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Meats, and
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Seafood
What are the effects of canning on the nutritional value of the foods packed?
There is no dearth of people who believe that canned foods are less nutritive than fresh foods. But, the latest researches show that it should not be made a standard as far as canned foods are concerned. Experts believe that the notions concerning the nutritional value of canned foods are always not true. In effect, effective and efficient canning preserves most of the nutritional attributes of the packed food. Here are some more points for better enlightenment:
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Three major components that are an important part of almost all food stuffs including proteins, fats, and carbohydrates always remain completely unaffected by the canning process.
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Most of the crucial minerals as well as fat-soluble vitamins that include A, D, E, and K are reported to have maximum retention.
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Food items that are well-known for being a storehouse of certain nutrients can also maintain their nutritional value after being canned.
What gets affected then?
Since the procedure of canning involves various phases in which the use of a high level of temperature is made, some of the common water-soluble vitamins that mainly include C and B might get affected. These vitamins are generally very sensitive to air and high temperature, and as a result, they can be lost particularly when normal canning methodologies are adopted to carry out the storage. However, while the procedure of canning might damage different crucial vitamins and other minerals, the amounts of so many other useful compounds might increase.
Areas where canning has proven to be even better
The example of corn and tomatoes can be cited here well, in the support of the above statement. Actually, when corn and tomatoes are heat treated, they release even more antioxidants. This makes different varieties of canned food items even better sources of powerful antioxidants. If the changes in the individual nutrient levels are kept aside, then all canned foods can be considered an excellent source of so many crucial minerals and vitamins.
In another study carried out on canned food items, it was found that people who consumed more than 6 canned food items per week were reported to have a better intake of around 17 essential vitamins and minerals than those who ate only 2 or 3 canned items per week.
The advantageous aspects associated with canned foods
All things considered, canned food items have also proven to be a boon concerning many aspects associated with their packaging. They are not only affordable but also offer the convenience of use, and also don’t get spoiled easily. Over the past few years, canned foods have also proven to be the best way to add more nutrition to particular food items through fortification. With canned foods, it is easy for the manufacturer or producer to add more nutrient density to a large number of food items that they pack and supply globally.
Even today, many parts of the world are lacking high-quality food items because of so many socioeconomic and political reasons. Through canned food items, it can be made sure that those having food deprivation have access to highly nutritious food items. During the war, soldiers and sailors can also take advantage of canned foods even in the remotest and wildest areas of the world while serving their country.
Today, almost all types of food items can be found in cans, and the popularity of such food items is touching a new high in all parts of the world. Apart from just retaining nutritional value, the cans in which food items are packed come with 100% recyclability just contrary to the many forms of plastics that are destroying our planet. These containers offer great value when their purpose is served, and then again go for recycling. What’s more, canned foods tend to cost surprisingly less than fresh products.
Concluding Remarks
Hindustan Tin Works Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of high-quality
can ends and containers used for canning different types of foods around the world. The company has a formidable reputation as the most dependable supplier of high-performance cookie tins and printed sheets, and related components to consumer marketing companies in India and abroad.