Canned Food Expiration Dates
Despite common belief, there are no federal regulations regarding the expiration dates of food, with the exception of infant formula which must display an expiration date.
Although certain states mandate sell-by dates for meat and dairy products, there is no legal requirement for this information to be included on canned foods.
What do the “best by” and “use by” dates on canned foods mean?
The dates on the food products are not based on any particular criteria and were chosen randomly by the manufacturer.
Having an expiration date is reasonable for certain products like fresh milk, as nobody desires to purchase a gallon of milk and discover that it has already begun to rot.
The safety of canned foods is not determined by their expiration date.
What do expiration dates really mean?
Usually, acidic foods such as fruits and vegetables spoil quicker. On the other hand, foods with a higher pH level have a longer shelf life. This implies that canned peaches are likely to expire before a classic can of Spam. To illustrate, Goya’s tomato sauce and fruit have a “best by” date of three years from production. In contrast, their beans can last up to five years from the day of production.
To determine the shelf life of their products, Goya, which is among the largest food-processing companies worldwide, examines both the industry standards and performs internal assessments. As Giles explains, they assess the taste, texture, and appearance of products as they age and compare these results with newly produced samples. Additionally, the company performs vacuum tests as removing oxygen helps to prolong shelf life.
CEO of the Helmsman Group, a company that specializes in food and beverage product development, Mark Haas informs TODAY.com that while canned food is usually associated with the can itself, canning is also a process involving aseptic or retort processing to preserve food for extended periods. Nevertheless, it’s acceptable to evaluate the quality of a canned product based on its appearance.
How can you tell if canned food is bad?
If a can has dents, dings or swollen areas, it may have a damaged hermetic seal and protective lining. A coating is applied to the interior of cans to prevent direct contact between the metal and its contents. When the outside of a can is dented, it’s likely that the interior lining has been compromised too.
Commonly, the reaction between the food and the steel, tin, or aluminum in the can leads to the can either rusting or swelling. Additionally, the growth of bacteria may cause the can to bulge due to the release of gases. (Improperly canned goods at home may pose a risk of botulism, but this is not a concern when it comes to commercially canned food.)
Canned Foods Are Safe to Eat for Decades
Imagine that you and your family are facing extreme hunger due to a disaster. Suddenly, you stumble upon an old can of beans tucked away somewhere. However, the expiration date on the can shows that it was five years ago. Would you consider consuming the expired canned food?
I would definitely recommend consuming the expired canned food!
I am obligated to caution you against consuming food that has passed its expiration date due to legal reasons.
The NFPA is a research organization that investigates topics such as food freshness and expiration dates. On one occasion, they obtained a batch of expired food cans.
During analysis, a scientist discovered that a can of corn dating back to 1934 was almost as fresh as a newly packaged can. The only variation observed in the analysis was the lower nutrient levels. Similarly, old cans of oysters, tomatoes, and red peppers also exhibited similar results.
Canned foods, being sterilized and sealed in an air-tight environment, do not facilitate bacterial growth. The expiration date is mainly concerned with the flavor and freshness of the food. Canned foods may turn mushy and lose their taste when submerged in water for extended periods. However, they are still fit for consumption although tasting unpleasant.
The USDA states that canned goods with high levels of acidity such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can remain fresh for 12 to 18 months, while canned goods with low acidity levels like meats and most vegetables can have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
Even though the canned foods might not taste as fresh as they did when first canned and may have lost some nutrients, they should still be safe to consume beyond the recommended time frame.
Can you still donate expired food?
If you have doubts about consuming a can that appears fine but has passed the “best by” date, consider donating it to a food pantry. Numerous food pantries will either accept expired items or dispose of them properly. To prevent such situations, apply the first in, first out rule, storing older items in front and newer items in the back, so you can use them according to their “best by” dates.
If the appearance of the can is acceptable and you wish to consume its contents, there’s no issue! However, make sure you take a sniff before indulging. If there’s any odd odors (or if it looks off), avoid eating it. Moreover, don’t distribute it to others.
When NOT to Eat Expired Canned Foods
Although canned foods generally have a long shelf life that can extend for decades beyond their expiration date, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee their safety for consumption at all times.
Contamination poses a significant threat to canned food when there is a breach in the seal allowing air to seep through, as it could lead to botulism.
Toxins released by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria can paralyze or kill individuals through botulism. Inadequate home canning practices led to its common occurrence as the bacteria was not eliminated prior to canning, resulting in uncontrolled multiplication within the can.
Although botulism cannot be detected by its appearance or flavor in canned food, there are other indications that a can of food may have spoiled.
Exterior Signs a Can of Food Has Gone Bad:
- The sides of the can or its lid are bulging
- The can is rusty or corroded
- The can is leaking food
Interior Signs a Can of Food Has Gone Bad:
- There are small bubbles in the liquid inside the can
- Bad odors
- The food has become mushy
- The liquid is cloudy
- The contents explode after the can is opened
Under any circumstances, do not consume canned food if any of these warning signs are detected. Exposing yourself or your loved ones to such risks is ill-advised.
Rotate Your Canned Foods
Ensuring the freshness of canned foods is important, even though they can still be edible for many years. It is recommended to rotate them regularly to avoid any risks.
Here’s the top tip I can offer to ensure that your canned goods (as well as other foods you’ve stored for emergencies) are properly rotated:
Just store up emergency foods that are part of your typical daily diet!
If rice and beans aren’t typically part of your daily meals, it’s advisable to leave them out of your 30-day supply of emergency food. As a result, you’ll be unable to use up your supplies before they go bad.
Besides, who would be inclined to abruptly switch to consuming a variety of unfamiliar edibles following a catastrophe?
Having your preferred foods stored in advance would not provide much solace during the occurrence.
Find out additional information regarding foods suitable for preppers.
If the emergency foods you store are ones that you regularly consume, rotating them should be easy. Simply employ the “new-in-the-back” method where fresh items go behind the older ones. This is a familiar practice for individuals who have worked in a grocery store.
You can set up a can dispenser in your pantry for canned foods where the cans are dispensed from the bottom and new cans are added on the top. Additionally, creating a can rotation system is relatively simple. Check out our recommended can organizers in our guide.
Without a doubt, rotation is crucial for the preservation of your other emergency provisions such as dehydrated legumes, grains, and pre-packaged consumables.
Before storing them in your pantry, it’s advisable to jot down the purchase dates on your newly bought items, placing them at the back in accordance with the old supplies.
Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes
Mistake #1: Food that’s nutritionally incomplete and unhealthy
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, it’s crucial that you are physically fit and have enough energy to confront whatever challenges come your way. Regrettably, numerous individuals stockpile food that lacks vital nutrients.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asserts in its Public Health Matters Blog that the nutritional content of emergency food supplies is frequently overlooked. However, caring for one’s body is crucial self-care during a crisis, and consuming nutritious foods is one approach to achieve that.
Opt for nutrient-dense products free from artificial ingredients and added sugars when seeking healthier options. Although carb-heavy foods offer fast energy, it is crucial to consume protein and healthy fats to maintain optimal health and strength.
“Eating foods with a low glycemic index — whose sugars are absorbed slowly — may help you avoid the lag in energy that typically occurs after eating quickly absorbed sugars or refined starches,” states Harvard Health Publishing . “In general, high-carbohydrate foods have the highest glycemic indexes. Proteins and fats have glycemic indexes that are close to zero.”
To put it briefly, ensure that you are not solely consuming carbohydrates in your diet. To reach optimal functionality, your body requires necessary amino acids sourced from protein and necessary fatty acids sourced from healthy fats.
Mistake #2: Storing food you don’t currently use and enjoy
An effective method to assess the status of your food and emergency readiness is to inspect the contents of your fridge and pantry. Do you have products that you have stored but seldom consume or have already exceeded their expiration date?
Chances are, both your three-day emergency kit and extended food supply share a common issue. Merely because an item has a long shelf-life does not guarantee your eagerness to consume it later. During a genuine crisis, you will seek to possess food that your kin prefers.
According to an article by the CDC about ensuring the nutritional value of food in your emergency kit, the crucial aspect of selection is ensuring your familiarity with the preparation and appetite for the stored food.
As stated previously, an optimal meal should have a significant amount of nutrients, especially protein and beneficial fats.
Mistake #3: Impractical, inconvenient or bulky food
Besides the unpleasant-tasting food, a further issue posed by conventional emergency planning is the packaging. Although economical, large and cumbersome cans are weighty, space-consuming and usually non-resealable. Optimal storage of the nutrient-rich food necessary for the body requires portable, concise and resealable packaging.
Mistake #4: Spending too much on food storage
If you let your fear of a possible future emergency take over, it’s simple to overspend. Don’t fall into the trap of accumulating debt by buying bulky food packages all at once.
Advocates of food storage, ranging from prepper communities on social media to religious groups, advise against extremes in acquiring emergency food supplies. They propose a gradual accumulation approach, rather than a single large purchase or incurring debt, to prevent financial strain.
It is essential to consider the rotation of food storage. Keeping food that you frequently consume in storage is advisable to prevent spoilage and ensure your stock is always fresh and current.
Mistake #5: Food that’s difficult to prepare
Despite good intentions, hectic schedules and convenience often undermine efforts to maintain a healthy diet and overall well-being. When faced with an emergency, the last thing you want to deal with is food that requires extensive preparation. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends storing non-perishable foods that require minimal preparation, are nutritious, and easy to consume.
