How Long Is It Safe to Eat Canned Food After the Expiration Date?

Most people are aware that food generally should not be consumed after the ‘sell by’ or ‘best before’ date on the packaging, but can food really go bad even if it has not been opened? Canning is a method of preserving food, and it is possible to keep canned food safely for several years. However, there are important considerations to consider regarding how long it is safe to eat canned food after the expiration date.

The expiration date on canned goods is generally set two to five years from the time of manufacture, and this should be considered a “use by” date rather than an indication of when the product will become unsafe to eat. After this point, the nutritional value and flavor of the food may begin to decline. Additionally, if a can has been improperly stored or handled (exposed to high temperatures or damaged), then it may become unsafe sooner than its printed expiration date.

When a can is opened, the contents should be eaten within two days. This applies even if it was unopened before that point; once air is introduced into a can, bacteria will start to grow more quickly.

If you need to store opened cans for longer than two days, make sure they are stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator at 40°F or below. Canned foods that are left out at room temperature for extended periods of time can experience changes in texture, flavor and color as well as increased risk of spoilage and contamination by bacteria or other organisms.

Finally, it is important to check your canned products before eating them. Cans that are swollen or leaking should not be eaten as they may contain bacteria which could cause illness if consumed. If you open a can and find that there is any mold growth on its contents then discard them immediately as they may contain dangerous toxins which could make you ill if ingested.

In conclusion, while canned goods can last several years unopened past their printed expiration dates, they should still be eaten within two days after being opened and inspected for signs of spoilage before consuming them. Any cans which appear swollen or have mold on their contents should not be eaten under any circumstances as they could make you seriously ill.

Conclusion: How Long Is It Safe To Eat Canned Food After The Expiration Date?

It is generally safe to consume canned foods up to two days after opening them provided that they have been inspected for signs of spoilage such as swelling or mold growth beforehand. Unopened cans may last several years past their printed expiration dates but their nutritional value and flavor may decline over time.