When in doubt, throw it out? Not so fast. When it comes to cranberry sauce, soups, and pumpkin purée, it can be hard to tell when canned goods expire. Because they last so long — think decades — the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require canned foods to come labeled with expiration dates. That said, many manufacturers voluntarily label their products with “best by” or “sell by” dates to better inform consumers.
These dates, however, are far from a hard stop. In fact, it’s not illegal for stores to sell canned foods months or even years past these dates. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, canned contents are safe to eat as long as the can is in “good shape.” The Canned Food Alliance agrees, citing 100-year-old canned food that was recovered from sunken ships and tested microbiologically safe.
Does that mean you can eat food out of a can found on the Titanic? Yes. Does it mean you’ll want to? Probably not.
Taste, texture and nutritional value are all negatively affected as the contents inside a can age. Still, it can take years to notice anything funky or "off." According to the Canned Food Alliance, canned food stored in moderate temperatures (75 F or below) has a shelf life of about two years from the date it was processed. After that, you can expect the quality — first the color and texture — to change; however, the nutritional value can last “well beyond two years.” In terms of edibility, canned food is playing the long game. In fact, most experts don't believe in expiration dates.
When do canned foods expire?
“Canned foods do not expire on a certain date,” Ron Giles, quality assurance director of Goya Foods, tells TODAY.com. “One cannot say that canned food is good on one day and not good the next day.”
Dana Gunders, a former food scientist at the Natural Resources Defence Council, has a similar opinion. “The idea that there's a magic date when foods all of a sudden ‘expire’ is a myth,” says Gunders, the executive director of ReFED, a nonprofit committed to ending food waste. “I personally would eat anything within 10 years or so of the date it's 'best by' as long as it looked, smelled and tasted fine.”
What do expiration dates really mean?
In general, foods that are more acidic, like fruits and vegetables, will go "bad" sooner. Foods with a more basic pH level will last longer. (Yes, this means that a classic can of Spam will likely outlive canned peaches.) For example, Goya’s tomato sauce and fruit have a “best by” date three years from the day of production. Its beans, meanwhile, boast a “best by” date five years from the day of production.
Goya — one of the world's largest food-processing companies — determines a product’s shelf life by looking at industry standards and doing internal evaluations. “As products age, we look at taste, texture and appearance,” explains Giles. “Then we compare and contrast those results with recently produced samples.” The company also conducts vacuum tests because the absence of oxygen extends a product’s shelf life.
“Often, we associate canned foods with the can itself, but canning is also a process,” Mark Haas, CEO of the Helmsman Group, a company specializing in food and beverage product development, tells TODAY.com. “There are many foods that go through aseptic or retort processing to stabilize the food for long-term storage.” Still, it's OK to judge a can’s contents by its cover.
How can you tell if canned food is bad?
The problem with cans that are in less-than-perfect condition (think dents, dings and swollen areas) is that the hermetic seal and protective lining inside might be broken. Cans are coated with an interior lining that prevents the metal from coming in direct contact with its contents. If the outside of the can is dented, there’s a good chance the interior lining is compromised as well.
Usually, this results in the can rusting or swelling as the food reacts with the steel, tin or aluminum. Bacteria can also grow and release gasses that make the can bulge. (Botulism is a concern for goods improperly canned at home, but it's not a concern for commercially canned food.)
Can you still donate expired food?
If the can looks fine but you’re still uncomfortable with it being past the "best by" date, donate it to a food pantry. Many food pantries accept — or will properly dispose of — expired goods. To avoid getting into a tricky situation in the first place, implement the first in, first out rule. Store newer items in the back and keep older items in front so you use them in order of their "best by" dates.
If the can looks fine and you want to consume it, no problem! Just get a good whiff of what's inside before digging in. And if something doesn't smell right (or look right), don't eat it. And definitely don't serve it to others.
FAQs
Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.
How long is canned food good for after the best by date? ›
Canned food can endure indefinitely—or at least several years past the date on the label, according to Bryan Quoc Le, Ph. D., food scientist and author. Generally, high-acid foods (like tomatoes) will maintain their quality for 18 months after the "use by" or "sell by" date.
What happens if I accidentally ate expired canned food? ›
While canned goods past their "best-by" date may not taste optimal, there's no real health risk in consuming canned goods as long as they remain in good condition. Here's why: The food in the container is commercially sterile and a vacuum seal prevents any new bacteria from getting in, so it will not spoil.
How can you tell if canned food has gone bad? ›
While opening the jar, smell for unnatural odors and look for spurting liquid and cotton-like mold growth (white, blue, black, or green) on the top food surface and underside of lid. Spoiled low-acid foods, including tomatoes, may exhibit different kinds of spoilage evidence or very little evidence.
What to do with expired canned food? ›
If the can looks fine but you're still uncomfortable with it being past the "best by" date, donate it to a food pantry. Many food pantries accept — or will properly dispose of — expired goods. To avoid getting into a tricky situation in the first place, implement the first in, first out rule.
How long can you go past the best-by date? ›
"It's safe to say 'days' but not more than a week for most refrigerated produce, months to years for canned and dry goods in the pantry, and I would say to not go past the date in the fridge for meat/fish/poultry, but they can last three months with good quality and if properly stored in the freezer," Jones says.
What foods can you not eat after the expiration date? ›
But things like milk, cheese, fresh vegetables, and fruit should not be eaten past their prime because they can harbor bacteria that can be dangerous to your body. This is caused by the natural breakdown of organic matter. You'll also be able to tell that these foods have gone bad based on their appearance and smell.
Why you shouldn't eat expired canned food? ›
It's typically safe to eat food that's past its expiration date, with a few exceptions. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase.
Can you get botulism from expired canned foods? ›
High acid foods such as tomatoes and other fruit will keep their best quality up to 18 months; low acid foods such as meat and vegetables, 2 to 5 years. While extremely rare, a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is the worst danger in canned goods.
Can you get food poisoning from canned food? ›
While extremely rare, a toxin or poison produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) is a very serious danger in canned goods. Botulism is a deadly food poisoning. The botulism bacteria — rod shaped under the microscope — grow best in anaerobic (absence of oxygen) conditions.
Growth of Clostridium botulinum in food may cause container lids to bulge and cause foods to have a bad odor. Commercial or home-canned food products with bulging lids or a bad odor should not be eaten.
What canned goods never go bad? ›
Cans in good condition—meaning no dents, swelling or rust—stored in a cool, clean, dry place are safe indefinitely. We're talking corn, peas, carrots, green beans, asparagus, peaches, pears, pineapple and so much more.
Can canned wet food go bad? ›
In most cases, the reasons for canned food going bad are: Exposure to air, leading to bacteria growth. High humidity or moisture in the air, causing mold. Hot weather, leading to rancidity.
Can you eat 20 year old canned food? ›
Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.
How long after a best before date can you eat something? ›
Ben Elliot, Defra's food waste champion, said: "Often food that has passed its 'best before' date is perfectly safe to eat for weeks, or even months after. It is important that we help people better understand whether produce is safe to eat, and that information on food is clear, helping people make these decisions."
How to tell if canned beans are bad? ›
Avoid cans that are dented, leaking, rusty or swollen or have bulging tops.
Can you use a product after the best-by date? ›
Yes. The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes but the products should still be wholesome if not exhibiting signs of spoilage.
Can you use canned tuna after the best-by date? ›
Sell-by, use-by, and best-by dates generally indicate when a food item will be at its peak quality. Manufactured canned goods are still safe to eat after that time.
Can I use 1 year expired evaporated milk? ›
And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it. If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it.
