Invented in 1809 by French chef Nicolas Appert, canning prevents food from rotting by hermetically sealing it in a can and then sterilising it with heat.
Many a home chef has since been rescued when they discovered they were out of anything fresh and turned to the pantry only to find canned food.
You may find it in a can on the shelf of your pantry.
Although it's difficult to picture a supermarket without a canned-food section, not all foods stored in tins have weathered the test of time.
We dug out some of the most intriguing canned goods that have since been taken off the market and discovered the reasons for their demise.
Canned mac & cheese may not seem enticing, especially if you love your pasta al dente.