Canned food is a convenient and cost-effective way to stock up on essential items for your pantry. With a long shelf life, it’s easy to keep canned food on hand for whenever you need it. But, just how long does canned food typically last?
The answer depends on the type of canned food you’re storing and the conditions in which it is stored. Most canned goods will last for at least two years, with some lasting up to five years.
However, some canned goods have shorter shelf lives, such as those containing fish or meats. These have a shelf life of about one year.
It’s important to note that the expiration date given on cans is not an absolute expiration date; rather, it’s an indication of when the quality of the product begins to decline. The expiration date given on a can is based on the manufacturer’s best estimate of when they expect the product will begin to lose its flavor, texture or nutritional value. It doesn’t mean that the product has gone bad or is unsafe to eat after this date – only that it might not be as enjoyable as it was before this date.
In addition to paying attention to expiration dates, there are other things you can do to make sure your canned goods stay safe and delicious for as long as possible. First, store your cans in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as stoves and hot water heaters. Make sure you rotate your stock so that older cans are used first and newer cans are stored in back where they won’t get too hot or cold.
Check Cans for Signs Of Damage. When you buy canned goods at the store or open them at home, make sure you inspect them carefully for any signs of damage such as dents, bulges or rust spots. If any of these signs are present then discard the can immediately since these could indicate that bacteria has gotten inside and spoiled the contents.
Label Cans With Dates. Once you open a can of food make sure you label it with either a “use by” or “best by” date so that you know when it should be thrown out if not eaten before then. This will help keep track of how long opened cans have been sitting in your pantry so that they don’t go bad before being eaten.
When stored properly and checked regularly for signs of damage or spoilage, most canned goods will last two to five years past their marked expiration dates – although foods containing fish or meats may only last about one year past their marked expiration dates.
In conclusion, canned food typically lasts from two to five years past its marked expiration date if stored properly; however foods containing fish or meat may only last about one year past their marked expiration dates.