Thanks for that link regarding canned anchovies, Ed T.

I'm not sure if the anchovies we buy here in the UK are 'retorted' or not. What I do know is that the fillets keep their shape and don't turn to mush.

They are never kept in the 'cooler section of supermarkets', just on normal shelves.

I have a can in my cupboard that I've probably had for a year. Just had a look at it, and it doesn't suggest refrigeration on the tin, just 'keep in a dry place' It has an expiry date of Jan 2015 and I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm not sure but along with food safety, I wonder if there is some cultural thing going on here? My understanding is that in America eggs are always refrigerated in supermarkets? They never are here in England, yet we don't get food poisoning...