Yes, It's Okay To Eat Cold Soup Straight Out Of The Can (2024)
Naomi Kennedy
·3 min read
Get ready with us to find out if it's okay to eat cold soup straight from the can. In a TikTok video shared by the internet's proverbial Gen-Z best friend Alix Earle, the influencer revealed that she enjoys diving straight into a can of soup without heating it up. "I came home from going out last night and I just opened this up and started eating this," she explained in a TikTok with an opened can of cold Progresso soup in her hand. "And I think it's really good," she added, though her legion of followers didn't exactly agree with the "extreme hot take." One follower even went as far as calling Earle a psychopath, while another said that the idea of cold soup made their stomach turn.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the content creator's obsession with eating cold soup from the can, you may be curious if it's safe to do so, especially since some commenters warned against and expressed concerns about botulism or food poisoning. However, in a statement sent to Mashed, Progresso's Brand Experience Manager Shannon Heine gave the thumbs up to consuming its canned soups cold or at any temperature. "Our soups provide high-quality meals without the extra prep work or cooking time needed, so we can definitely get behind this extreme hot take — even if it means no kitchen time required," she said.
There Are Some Instances Where You Should Avoid Eating Cold Soup From The Can
It's only natural to want to heat your canned soup in the microwave or on the stove before indulging in a bowl, but apparently, that's just another canned food myth we've fallen for. As it turns out, the FDA requires commercially canned foods to be processed or heated to a level that helps destroy harmful bacteria and ultimately makes canned goods shelf-stable and ready to eat straight from their containers. So why, then, is it suggested that we heat canned soups before consumption? To enhance their flavors and, of course, help warm us up from the inside out.
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All that being said, you can have your pick of any soup to snack on straight from the can, and really any other canned good in your pantry. In a 2020 Reddit thread on the subject, users suggested seasoned black beans, Spaghettios, ravioli, and pork and beans as other solid choices when looking for canned goods to eat cold. However, when seeking out your Alix Earle-inspired snack, you'll want to avoid any cans that are dented, bulging, or leaking, or emit any type of foul odor when you crack it open, as these can potentially lead to illness. Additionally, you might want to steer clear of canned soup — cold or otherwise — when you're sick and try making homemade chicken noodle soup instead.
As it turns out, the FDA requires commercially canned foods to be processed or heated to a level that helps destroy harmful bacteria and ultimately makes canned goods shelf-stable and ready to eat straight from their containers.
While canned food is safe to eat, it is best to prepare it safely. Ideally, you should consume canned food immediately after opening without cooking it or reheating it. However, if you want to eat warm canned food, you can empty the contents into a pan to cook or heat.
Canned foods are generally considered safe to eat directly from the can because the canning process involves high heat, which is designed to kill bacteria and inactivate enzymes. This process also creates an airtight seal that prevents new bacteria from contaminating the food.
Our Well Yes!® sipping soups are delicious when served hot, but can also be enjoyed on-the-go at room temperature. Three of our varieties (Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato, Harvest Carrot & Ginger, and Tomato & Sweet Basil) are equally enjoyable when served chilled.
So why, then, is it suggested that we heat canned soups before consumption? To enhance their flavors and, of course, help warm us up from the inside out. All that being said, you can have your pick of any soup to snack on straight from the can, and really any other canned good in your pantry.
While canned goods past their "best-by" date may not taste optimal, there's no real health risk in consuming canned goods as long as they remain in good condition. Here's why: The food in the container is commercially sterile and a vacuum seal prevents any new bacteria from getting in, so it will not spoil.
Canned proteins, like fish, beans and meats, can be a great affordable option for quick meals. They are often less expensive than fresh and frozen meats. Canned meats are fully cooked before canning, so they can be eaten right out of the can, or thrown into a meal of your choice.
There is no such thing as “raw canned” food, because the process of canning involves heating food in sealed containers, for a long enough time to kill any microorganisms that would make you sick. Once it's canned, it's also cooked.
Metals can corrode and rust in moist environments. However, you may store them in the refrigerator for a short period of time. It is best to store unopened commercially canned foods in a cool and dry place (such as in a cupboard). For best quality use closed canned fruits within 18 months.
To prevent freezing of canned foods, the storage area should be above 34°F. Wrap jars or cans in newspaper in cartons or boxes and cover with blankets when cold weather is forecasted. This will provide some protection against freezing. For best quality store jars and cans in a cool, dark, dry location.
Information. Cans frozen accidentally, such as those left in a car or basem*nt in sub-zero temperatures, can present health problems. If the cans are merely swollen - and you are sure the swelling was caused by freezing - the cans may still be usable. Let the can thaw in the refrigerator before opening.
Boiling soup leads to mushy veggies and tough meat
According to Patch, boiling soup can make your vegetables fall apart, and your meat overcooked and tough. Boiling causes rapid movement for the food in the pot, which allows your ingredients to bump into each other and start to break down, Bake Instinct explains.
The date code is a series of letters and numbers that tell you how long the product will maintain its top quality and flavor. The letters represent the first three letters of a month (such as Mar for March or Nov for November). The numbers after that tell you the day of the month, followed by the year.
It's Up To You. Ultimately, you should eat soup at whatever temperature works for you. If you like lukewarm soup, go for it. If you prefer soup to be steaming hot, eat it that way.
Serving Ideas. A bowl of our Cream of Chicken Soup served with fresh baked bread is hearty enough to serve on its own, or you can beef it up with whatever's fresh in your kitchen. Condensed soups are also the perfect base for casseroles and starters for sauces, so your imagination is the limit.
Temperatures over 100 degrees F are harmful to canned foods. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. At prolonged storage temperatures above 75 F, nutrient loss in canned foods increases. Light can cause color changes and nutrient losses in foods canned in glass jars.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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