Is it okay to write dates on the top of food tins with permanent marker?

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I guess this is a stupid question - but it won't leach through the tin somehow will it?

(Sleep deprivation is getting to me)

Anyone want to humour me?

Why would you need to? Tins last forever anyway. I had some leek and potato tinned soup the other day at the back of dms cupboard dated 2012!

I really don't think so

It was lovely btw

It's absolutely fine - if the tin was porous the contents would leak out and/or spoil!

I'm trying to make it easier to see - I'm sorting out an old cupboard where they go back to 2009 and struggling with all the tiny writing!

I admit I might not be thinking well, I've not slept properly in weeks (endless sinusitis!) I'm worried I've now poisoned half the food supply!

I do. On tins and Mylar bags. Two-part Kilner jar lids are set up exactly for this.

You can tell when tins blow. They pop out at the top - so instead of being slightly indented the top will be convex.

You can also generally tell when you open them if the contents are ok or not. The only tins I've ever had go are a tin of baked beans which did blow (but it was dented tin which you should never store anyway). The contents still looked fine but I didn't want to risk it. The chickens were happy to eat them though and are all still alive. Plus a tin of evaporated milk which was many years out of date since it slipped down the back of a shelving unit and was also dented. That had separated.

I'm so glad you asked this as I did the same and wondered if it was dangerous to do so

Gently, have you considered exploring what support options are available for your anxiety?

Phew I probably haven't murdered us then @bellinisurge!

It would be just like me to ruin lots of perfectly fine food while trying to save it all.

Sleeping usually helps @Tippexy. I feel like I've been losing my mind lately, not anxious as such, just very slow and off.

I slept 8 hours last night, unheard of! Yes I do feel a bit silly now asking. But happy to be of help to Regular

I had the exact same worry a while back. I am an anxious person though but nice to hear am not alone!

I do this on all my tins. Lots are in under-bed drawers, so it's easier to write what's in them and the BBE.