How long does canned food last?
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says high-acid canned foods such as tomatoes and fruit keep their best quality for 12 to 18 months, and low-acid canned foods such as meat and vegetables keep for 2 to 5 years. The date on a can is usually a "Best if Used By" date for quality, not safety, so a can that is in good shape and stored properly should still be safe after it (USDA).
The CDC warns that even a small taste of food containing botulism toxin can be deadly, causing difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death.
- Shelf life by type of can
- What the date on the can means
- When to throw a can out
- Where to store canned food
- Canned food after a flood
- Home-canned food
- Gear
Shelf life by type of can
Times from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. They are for unopened cans kept in a cool, dry place.
| Type | Examples (USDA) | Unopened, on the shelf | Opened, in the fridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-acid | Tomatoes, tomato and fruit juices, pineapple, apples, peaches, pears, plums, berries, mixed fruit, pickles, sauerkraut | 12 to 18 months | 5 to 7 days |
| Low-acid | Canned meat and poultry, stews, soups (except tomato), pasta products, potatoes, corn, carrots, spinach, beans, beets, peas, pumpkin | 2 to 5 years | 3 to 4 days |
| Home-canned | Anything you canned yourself | 12 months | See below |
Some canned ham and seafood is labeled "Keep Refrigerated." The USDA says that food is not safe at room temperature, so it does not belong in a pantry or an emergency kit.
What the date on the can means
- The USDA says dates on cans are usually "Best if Used By" dates. They tell you when the food will taste best. They are not a purchase or safety date.
- Many cans also carry a pack code. The USDA says those codes are not meant for shoppers to read as a date.
- The USDA says food is safe past the label date if it was handled properly, until you can see signs of spoilage.
- One exception: baby formula. The USDA says do not buy or use infant formula after its "Use-By" date. That date is about safety.
When to throw a can out
The CDC says to throw out a can or jar, store-bought or home-canned, if:
- It is leaking, bulging or swollen
- It looks damaged, cracked or abnormal
- It spurts liquid or foam when you open it
- The food is discolored, moldy or smells bad
The USDA adds:
- Dents: throw out deeply dented cans. A can with a small dent that is otherwise in good shape should be safe.
- Rust: throw out heavily rusted cans. Surface rust you can rub off with a finger or paper towel is not serious. If there is any rust inside the can, do not eat the food.
Never taste food to check it. The CDC says: if in doubt, throw it out.
Where to store canned food
- The USDA says to keep cans in a cool, dry place. Temperatures below 85°F are best, and above 100°F is harmful to canned goods.
- The USDA says to avoid spots above or next to the stove, under the sink, and in a damp garage or basement.
- Cans do not last forever. The USDA says cans can rust and acidic food can slowly eat into the can, which changes the taste and texture and lowers the nutrition.
- Write the date you bought it on each can, put new cans at the back and eat from the front.
- Keep a manual can opener with your supplies. It is on FEMA's basic emergency kit list.
Canned food after a flood
The CDC says to throw out home-canned food and any can that is bulging, open or damaged after it has been in floodwater. Undamaged store-bought cans and pouches can be saved:
- Take the labels off if you can, and write down the expiration date.
- Brush or wipe off dirt and silt.
- Wash in hot, soapy water, then rinse in clean, safe water.
- Sanitize. Soak for 15 minutes in 1 cup of unscented household bleach mixed into 5 gallons of water, or boil them in water for 2 minutes.
- Relabel with a marker, including the expiration date, and use them as soon as you can.
Home-canned food
- The USDA gives home-canned food 12 months on the shelf, and says the botulism risk is higher for home-canned food that was not processed with safe canning methods.
- The CDC says to boil home-canned low-acid foods and home-canned tomatoes before eating: 10 minutes below 1,000 feet, plus 1 minute for every extra 1,000 feet of elevation.
- The CDC says common sources of botulism are homemade foods that were canned, preserved or fermented the wrong way.
Common mistakes
- Throwing out good cans just because the Best if Used By date has passed. The USDA says that date is about quality, not safety.
- Keeping a bulging, leaking or deeply dented can. The CDC and USDA say throw it out.
- Tasting food from a suspicious can to check it. The CDC says even a small taste of botulism toxin can be deadly.
- Storing cans in a hot garage, over the stove or under the sink. The USDA says below 85°F is best.
- Using baby formula past its Use-By date. The USDA says that date is a safety date.
- Leaving an opened can of food in the can in the fridge for a week. Low-acid food keeps 3 to 4 days once opened, says the USDA.
- Forgetting a manual can opener.
Gear for this
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Manual can opener
An electric opener is useless in a power outage. A manual one is on FEMA's basic kit list.
Can rotation rack
Loads from the top and dispenses the oldest can from the bottom, so you eat the oldest first.
Permanent marker
To write the purchase date on each can, and to relabel cans after a flood as the CDC advises.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to eat canned food after the expiration date?
Usually, if the can is in good shape. The USDA says the date on most cans is a Best if Used By date for quality, and food stays safe after it if handled properly until spoilage is evident. Baby formula is the exception.
How long does canned food last unopened?
The USDA says 12 to 18 months for high-acid foods like tomatoes and fruit, and 2 to 5 years for low-acid foods like meat and vegetables.
Is a dented can safe to eat?
The USDA says a small dent on a can that is otherwise in good shape should be safe, but deeply dented cans should be thrown out. Throw out any can that bulges or leaks.
Sources
- USDA FSIS: Shelf-Stable Food Safety
- USDA FSIS: Food Product Dating
- CDC: Botulism Prevention
- CDC: Home-Canned Foods (botulism)
- CDC: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Build a Kit
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General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.