Home Canned Meat and Veggies Central Oregon - Ask Extension
What is the best way to dispose of canned meat and veggies that are beyond their expiration date? They are reuseable Ball jars.
Thank you!
Knowledgebase
Home Canned Meat and Veggies Central Oregon #925723
Asked March 09, 2026, 4:59 PM EDT
What is the best way to dispose of canned meat and veggies that are beyond their expiration date? They are reuseable Ball jars.
Thank you!
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi there,
Thank you so much for the good question. If there is NO concern that the food has spoiled, the contents of the jars can go into a curbside compost bin (if available) or in the garbage. If you prefer to home compost, that is an option for vegetables, though most home composters cannot adequate compost meat products. Then the jars can be rinsed out and washed as usual before reuse.
If there is concern that the food has spoiled or is contaminated by botulism or other food borne illnesses, take extra care to follow the instructions in this guide from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Please take extra care if there is a need to detoxify the jars and their contents.
If the foods are merely past their expiration dates, and have been initially canned and stored safely, there shouldn't be the need to go through the detoxification steps.
Please let me know if additional questions arise.
Sincerely,
Lauren
Thank you so much for the good question. If there is NO concern that the food has spoiled, the contents of the jars can go into a curbside compost bin (if available) or in the garbage. If you prefer to home compost, that is an option for vegetables, though most home composters cannot adequate compost meat products. Then the jars can be rinsed out and washed as usual before reuse.
If there is concern that the food has spoiled or is contaminated by botulism or other food borne illnesses, take extra care to follow the instructions in this guide from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Please take extra care if there is a need to detoxify the jars and their contents.
If the foods are merely past their expiration dates, and have been initially canned and stored safely, there shouldn't be the need to go through the detoxification steps.
Please let me know if additional questions arise.
Sincerely,
Lauren
