Home dehydrated food: how long will it remain safe?

Back in 2015 I bought my nesco and vac seal so I can do some long term food storage. It was kind of quick buzz that I caught and it slowly faded. I been dehydrating again and I was wondering if my food is still safe to eat.

Keep in mind.... All my food was vac sealed or vac sealed in mason jars. I have strawberries and bananas that are vac sealed in bags, and apples, corn, and strawberries in a vac sealed jar.

Everything is dated, earliest date is 2015 to late 2016.. They been kept out of the sunlight and stored in my kitchen cabinet.

One concern is my apt can get hot, so im guessing theres been some days where the temp might of MAYBE been able to affect or not the proper storage conditions

Either way how would I know if there still good ?

Thanks for any and all responses



Rob H

Is a nesco a dehydrator?

Smell and visual would sort out the obvious bad.. If cooking, that adds another level of security.

Yes it's a nesco. Fd 61 whc. The only item I would maybe consider cooking is the corn. Otherwise the fruit is just for snacking

Old dehydrated food doesn't get dangerous, as far as I know.  It just loses flavor and nutrition.  I bought dehydrated veggies and they were still good after 3 years.  When they were closer to 10 years old I fed them to the chickens.

So, if they taste OK, they are OK.  The big risk in preserved food is botulism, it can kill you and it doesn't change the taste obviously.  This pathogen can't grow in acidic environments, which is why you can water bath can fruits and tomatoes.  It also doesn't do well in dry environments, or oxygenated environments.  Thus, dried fruit should be fine.  Maybe be sure to cook the corn.