How Long Does Canned Food Actually Last?

[Alan3413]

It says indefinite shelf life in one para, then 2-5 years in the next. So which is right?

 

[teratos]

It says indefinite shelf life in one para, then 2-5 years in the next. So which is right?

Don’t let lawyers get in the way of science.

 

[Sundazes]

Don’t let lawyers get in the way of science.

So are you saying the 2-5 years is CYA for the company?

 

[teratos]

So are you saying the 2-5 years is CYA for the company?

Yep. Just like medication. Most medication maintains at least 80% of its’ potency 20 years out of stored in good conditions

 

[Archeryrob]

Sugary stuff inhibits bacterial growth.

Yeah, we used to make jelly once a year. Mom would drag us to the various orchards and get us picking. Apples, peach, concords from our vines anything. Only did one per year and made lots of pints of jelly that last 10+ years. Stored in the basement and dark.

That also makes sense why canned peaches and such are in sugar syrup.

 

[Sundazes]

Yep. Just like medication. Most medication maintains at least 80% of its’ potency 20 years out of stored in good conditions

Good to be reminded of that.
Thanks doc.

 

[N3uka]

Yeah, we used to make jelly once a year.

Now I am missing the concord grape jelly my parents would make yearly when I was a kid. They had two vines in the backyard that produced a ton of grapes.

 

[Squaregrouper]

@Ammo Jon

 

[tdt91]

About 15 years ago at Thanksgiving my wife's grandmother made the Greenbean casserole. I love this stuff but something was off. It tasted "not good". I found out later she used self-canned green beans from like 20 years prior. It wasn't harmful but it didn't taste good.

 

[Jim12]

I use commercially canned foods w/ little regard to expiration date, other than to check to make sure the can is not swollen, rusted at the seams, or leaking, and that with jars the vacuum pop-up top is still under vacuum. Once opened, I give them the sniff test.

Over the years I've found less than a handful of swollen cans and chucked them.

 

[Archeryrob]

I have had 6 year old stewed tomatoes my mom had. She did not keep them in a no light room so that might have been part of it. Started to off color a bit and just not as flavorful. Edible sure, but not as tasteful. Now jellies and sugar canned stuff seems to last longer.

 

[PaFrank]

in the late 70's we got a hold of a few cases of C rations dated 1943.. we kept it at out hunting camp
everything was good, nobody got sick. the peanut butter separated and had to be stirred real good, but it tasted fine.

 

[Docster]

They can actually last well beyond their printed “expiration” date.

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• Hannah Jeon

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When it comes to stocking up on pantry essentials, everyone knows that there's nothing as convenient as canned foods — these staples are not only affordable and easy to cook with, they’re also basically a must-have if you’re filling up your pantry with non-perishable items that have a long shelf life (especially in the case of an emergency). But if the back of your pantry is filled with old cans of soup, green beans, and anything else that you bought quite a while ago, you might be wondering: Exactly how long does canned food last, and is it safe to eat canned food beyond its printed expiration date?

Here’s the good news: Canned goods actually last indefinitely if they're kept in good condition, according to the USDA. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they’ll still taste optimal ten years from now! There are actually several factors that limit the shelf life of canned goods, but in general, foods that are more acidic will expire sooner, while low-acid canned foods will actually last for longer. If you’re wondering about specific canned foods, though, here’s how long they’ll last on your shelf, as well as in the refrigerator after you open them.
Does canned food go bad?
Canned foods that are kept in good condition are actually safe to eat indefinitely, according to the USDA. However, there are several factors that may affect their shelf life, such as can corrosion and rusting, high temperatures, and other container problems. Over the years, many canned foods will experience taste and texture changes, and may eventually lose their nutritional value — which is why it’s recommended to consume different types of canned products by a certain time for the best quality. (Accordingly, the “use-by” or “best-by” dates that are often printed on cans are for quality, not safety.)

So is it safe to eat canned food past its “expiration” date? While canned goods past their “best-by” date may not taste optimal, there’s actually no real health risk in consuming canned goods as long as they remain in good condition. Just make sure that you never buy bulging, rusted, leaking, or dented cans, and that you always store canned goods in a cool, dry place — in fact, the USDA says to never store them in any place exposed to high or low temperatures, or in places such as under the sink, above or beside the stove, or in a damp garage or basement.

And of course, after opening canned foods, make sure to store leftovers and unused portions in the refrigerator; for best preservation of quality and flavor, you should store it in a glass or a plastic storage container.
How long does canned food last?
Canned Ham
Shelf-stable canned ham (such as Spam) lasts 2 to 5 years on the shelf. After opening, it will generally be good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Low Acid Canned Goods

Low acid canned goods include items such as canned meat and poultry, stews, pasta products, and soups (except for tomato soup), as well as vegetables such as potatoes, corn, carrots, spinach, beans, beets, peas, and pumpkin. According to the USDA, these canned goods will last for 2 to 5 years on the shelf after they’ve been canned, and will last 3 to 4 days if you store it in the refrigerator after opening.

High Acid Canned Goods

High acidic canned goods include juices, tomatoes, and fruit products (such as grapefruit, pineapple, apples, peaches, pears, plums, and all berries), as well as pickles, sauerkraut, and all foods treated with vinegar-based sauces or dressings. These foods are good for 12 to 18 months on the shelf, but after opening, will last 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.

Home Canned Foods

If you’re canning your own foods at home, you should know that these foods will last up to a year on the shelf. Before using, though, remember to boil 10 minutes for high-acid foods and 20 minutes for low-acid foods as a precaution (even if you detect no signs of spoilage). After opening, your home canned foods will last around 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Hannah Jeon is an editorial fellow at Good Housekeeping, where she loves to cover home, health, entertainment, and other lifestyle content.

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This post originally appeared on Good Housekeeping and was published April 15, 2020. This article is republished here with permission.

Old news that any prepper will already (or should) know if they have any independent thought or critical thinking skills