Will canned foods last forever?

  • The shelf life of a canned food is long but not forever!  
    • Cans may rust over time.
    • A can is damaged and no longer safe when dropped, dented, or crushed.
    • Cans corrode or break down slowly over time. High-acid foods like canned tomatoes, react with the container. Over several years, this can cause taste and texture changes. Eventually, this will lower the nutritional value of the food.
    • High temperatures (over 100 °F) are harmful to canned goods too. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. In fact, canned goods designed for use in hot climates are specially made.

What can I do to extend the life of canned foods?

  • Store canned foods and other shelf stable products in a cool, dry place.
  • Never put them above or beside the stove, under the sink, in a damp garage or basement.
  • Never put them any place that has extremely high or low temperature.
  • Temperatures below 85 °F are best.
  • Check your pantry every few weeks and use canned goods you have had on hand for a while.
  • Don't purchase bulging, rusted, leaking, or deeply dented cans.

After opening canned foods, is it safe to refrigerate the unused food in the can?

Yes. Unused portions of canned food may be refrigerated in the can. But the food will store better in a glass or plastic storage container.

Is it safe to use rusted canned foods?

Throw away heavily rusted cans. Cans that are heavily rusted can have tiny holes in them, allowing bacteria to enter. Surface rust that you can remove by rubbing with your finger or a paper towel is not serious. You can keep these canned foods. If you open the cans and there is any rust inside, do not eat the food. Rust is not safe to eat.

Is it safe to use food from dented cans?

If the can has a small dent, but is otherwise in good shape, the food should be safe to eat. Throw away deeply dented cans. A deep dent is one that you can lay your finger into. Deep dents often have sharp points. A sharp dent on either the top or side seam can damage the seam. This can allow bacteria to enter the can. Discard any can with a deep dent on any seam.

What does the date-label on a can mean? 

A shelf-stable product can be safely used after the "sell-by" date. Products with a "use-by" date, although still safe, may not be at best quality after the "use-by" date. Most cans have a shelf-life of about 2 years.