How long does canned food last?

Low-acid canned food, such as meat, fish, soup, beans and most vegetables, keeps its best quality for 2 to 5 years. High-acid canned food, such as fruit, tomatoes, juice and pickles, keeps 12 to 18 months. Once opened, low-acid food keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge and high-acid food 5 to 7 days.

Food	Fridge	Pantry
Low-acid canned food (meat, fish, soup, beans, vegetables)	—Opened: 3–4 days	2–5 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended
High-acid canned food (fruit, tomatoes, juice, pickles)	—Opened: 5–7 days	12–18 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if canned food has gone bad

A bulging, swollen, leaking or rusty can: throw it out unopened, without tasting. Bulging can be a sign of botulism.
A deep dent, especially on a seam or the rim.
Liquid or foam that spurts out when you open it, or a bad smell or cloudy liquid that should be clear.

How to store canned food

Keep cans in a cool, dry place, not above the stove, under the sink or in a hot garage.
Put new cans at the back and use older ones first.
Once opened, move the leftovers into a sealed glass or plastic container and refrigerate them.
Home-canned food keeps for less time than commercial cans; follow tested recipes for safety.

Can you freeze canned food?

Unopened cans shouldn't be frozen: the contents expand and can burst the seams. Leftovers from an opened can freeze well in a sealed container, for example soup, beans, coconut milk or tomato paste in portions.

Questions

Can you eat canned food after the best-by date?

Yes, if the can is in perfect condition and was stored somewhere cool and dry. The date is about quality: color, texture and taste slowly decline, but the food stays safe.

Is it safe to eat from a dented can?

A small dent on the side is usually fine. A deep dent, a sharp dent or any dent on a seam or the rim can break the seal: throw that can out.

Can you store opened food in the can?

It's better not to. Move it to a sealed container: it keeps fresher and won't pick up a metallic taste.

Add canned food to ShelfLife and rotate the cupboard before cans pass their best.

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