Ever since man was a hunter-gatherer, he has sought ways to preserve food safely. People living in cold climates learned to freeze food for future use, and after electricity was invented, freezers and refrigerators kept food safe. But except for drying, packing in sugar syrup, or salting, keeping perishable food safe without refrigeration is a truly modern invention.
What does “shelf stable” mean?
Foods that can be safely stored at room temperature, or “on the shelf,”are called “shelf stable.” These non-perishable products include jerky,
country hams, canned and bottled foods, rice, pasta, flour, sugar, spices,oils, and foods processed in aseptic or retort packages and other products that do not require refrigeration until after opening. Not all canned goods are shelf stable. Some canned food, such as some canned ham and seafood, are not safe at room temperature. These will be labeled “Keep Refrigerated.”
