Question: Soda Pop and Post-Apocalypse.

[Rowan]

So I've got a question .. let's say the big one hits.. Apocalypse. The kind doesn't really matter, I suppose. Let's say a group of scavengers are digging through an old super market.. and in one of the collapsed back storage rooms, they find a big pallet of shrink wrapped soda pop (aluminum cans of soda). How long can a product like that stay viable and safe for humans to drink?

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Rowan

So I've got a question .. let's say the big one hits.. Apocalypse. The kind doesn't really matter, I suppose. Let's say a group of scavengers are digging through an old super market.. and in one of the collapsed back storage rooms, they find a big pallet of shrink wrapped soda pop (aluminum cans of soda). How long can a product like that stay viable and safe for humans to drink?

It will take 9 months for the carbonation to leak out of canned soda with the seal intact. In ten years or so there's a good chance of bacterial, yeast, or fungal contamination.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

It will take 9 months for the carbonation to leak out of canned soda with the seal intact. In ten years or so there's a good chance of bacterial, yeast, or fungal contamination.

....and some artificial sweeteners will turn into methanol even before that. Not that anyone post-apocalypse would be likely to _want_ low calorie products.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

It will take 9 months for the carbonation to leak out of canned soda with the seal intact. In ten years or so there's a good chance of bacterial, yeast, or fungal contamination.

9 months the shelf life, so it probably retains carbonation for several times that length of time. Unless something corrodes through the can, not sure how you'd get living contaminants in there, I rather doubt they can permeate through aluminum.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Anthony

9 months the shelf life, so it probably retains carbonation for several times that length of time. Unless something corrodes through the can, not sure how you'd get living contaminants in there, I rather doubt they can permeate through aluminum.

Simply put, they probably came in while the can was being filled before it was finally sealed. Unless this was a futuristic setting where soda cans are filled and sealed in a clean room. Right now, they aren't.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Anthony

9 months the shelf life, so it probably retains carbonation for several times that length of time. Unless something corrodes through the can, not sure how you'd get living contaminants in there, I rather doubt they can permeate through aluminum.

The preservatives in food inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. However, they do eventually break down, which then allows even a single bacterium to become billions.

[VulpesFulva]

I dunno, but I have a 50-year -old unopened bottle of Coca-Cola somewhere in my house....

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

It will take 9 months for the carbonation to leak out of canned soda with the seal intact. In ten years or so there's a good chance of bacterial, yeast, or fungal contamination.

That's way off. I accidentally drank a couple cans of soda that, while still having their fizz, were horrific tasting. They were a couple of years old.

The taste, I'm sure, was due to them being diet Pepsis. Aspartame turns horribly bitter and a hint sour not much longer than accepted shelf life. And much sooner if they are exposed to high temperatures or light.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Anthony

9 months the shelf life, so it probably retains carbonation for several times that length of time. Unless something corrodes through the can, not sure how you'd get living contaminants in there, I rather doubt they can permeate through aluminum.

Not to mention that cans lacking much oxygen, such microbes would have to be anaerobic, and tolerant of low pH.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

....and some artificial sweeteners will turn into methanol even before that. Not that anyone post-apocalypse would be likely to _want_ low calorie products.

Why, did you kill off all the diabetics in your post apoc. setting?