Baby Food

Question: How can baby food last over 2 years and not contain preservatives?

(Posted by: Angie A on 2009-04-26 22:30:57)

I always cook my daughters baby food, recently I had a debate with my sister in law about the quality of canned food. I don't understand how certain jars say no preservatives yet they can last up to 3 yrs on the shelf. An apple goes brown after 1 hour of being peeled.. I'm not opposed to canned food I just don't understand how it works!

Posted by: RAVEN on 2009-04-26, 22:35:54

Citric Acid is a natural preservative as is salt. What those labels actually mean is no "artificial preservatives " meaning no unnatural chemicals were added. They are also vaccum sealed which prevents any bacteria from entering. Even if you make applesauce yourself, you have to add fresh lemon juice of orange juice to keep them from turning brown.

Posted by: Timid Women Rarely Make History on 2009-04-26, 22:36:31

Ascorbic acid? It is a preserver,but it's not harmful or an actual chemical. Although some babies with very sensitive tummies can actually have a reaction to it,because of the acid.

Posted by: redessa on 2009-04-26, 22:37:56

It has to do with how the food is processed and packaged. The baby foods are cooked at high temps to kill bacteria and sealed in the jars. Once that seal is broken (when you open the jar) the food is only good for a few days in the refrigerator.

Posted by: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ? on 2009-04-26, 22:38:53

I've wondered the same thing. I make most of my son's food, but I sometimes buy it. For instance, I buy Gerber Organic sometimes...right here these are the ingredients for Gerber Organic Pears: - Organic Pears - Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) What I know about ascorbic acid is it is not a preservative per se..but it does help food keep as long as it is not exposed to oxygen etc..that's why the food must be used within 3 days of opening. When I make pears for my son I use pears and water...no ascorbic acid, obviously - I cannot add that and seal it. It keeps for about 2-3 days.

Posted by: amylou on 2009-04-26, 23:47:28

Because at the baby's food factory, the containers are first strictly sterilized. The baby's puree food are cooked and electronically placed inside the sterilized containers and No hands touching this process. All process are done mechanically and timed so that contaminatants will not get into the processing. The machine operators wear white robes and hair nets and gloves. The containers with the baby food are mechanically vacuum packed to keep them fresh until expiration date. When you open the baby food jar, scope only with a clean spoon the amount of what your baby can eat and put in a bowl. Close the baby jar and put back in the refrigerator right away. Don't let it sit on the counter not even for a minute. Use the once opened baby food for the next 48 hours (as long as it didn't get contaminated with the spoon that has been touched by baby's mouth or parents mouth). If you feed your baby directly from the baby's food jar, any left-over must be discarded immediately. Yes an apple goes brown after an hour of being peeled. Of it being in the open, the iron containing chemical inside the apple react with the oxygen in the air calls oxidation, thus the browning of cut apples. Citric Acid comes from lemon or limes and are used as preservatives for canned foods. Nothing wrong with this preservatives, it comes from produce that we use for cooking.