
One worry with stocking a prepper pantry far in advance is the expiration date on the foods. How long will the foods really last? Metal canned goods purchased from the store have a listed “sell-by” or “use-by” date. For the most part, these dates are conservative and most canned goods will last several months, or even years, beyond the sell-by date.
One of the main risks of consuming expired canned foods is the threat of botulism. Botulism is a paralyzing bacterium that can travel easily through food that has not been properly prepared or stored. Damaged cans can also absorb botulism spores. Since the spores are invisible and undetectable, it is important to watch for the signs of contamination in other ways.
Easy Ways to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Metal Canned Goods
If you store a lot of canned goods, you will increase your chances of acquiring a collection of expired cans. You can extend the usable life of these cans by practicing two storage rules:
- Store your cans indoors in a room that is constantly between 50 and 70 degrees. Extreme temperature changes increases the risk of spoilage and botulism. You can do this by getting an indoor thermometer. This is the one that I use. (Amazon)
- Practice the first-in first-out rule. When you purchase new cans, store them in the back of your shelving unit, and move cans with closer expiration dates toward the front. Since we’re limited to space in the kitchen, we picked up this shelving unit on Amazon
that gives us easy access to the back and front.
How Long Will Canned Goods Last?
Typically, there is no set date for the life of a canned good. Theoretically, if the can was packaged correctly and is undamaged, it should have an almost indefinite shelf life. However, if you do not want to risk food-borne illnesses from spoiled canned goods, you will probably want to establish your own safe guidelines for consuming expired canned foods.
Acidic canned goods will expire before non-acidic cans. High acidic foods, like tomatoes,

fruit, and anything with a vinegar base, should last at least two years beyond the expiration date. Low-acidic foods, like potatoes, carrots, peas, pumpkin, and meat, will likely last five years or more beyond the expiration date.
How to Check a Can for Signs of Spoilage
Check your expired cans at two stages- before opening and after opening. Before opening, look for:
- Broken seals
- Bulging sides or top (push to see if it moves and pops up)
- Signs of rust or corrosion
- Leaking food
If your cans show none of the above signs, look for these signs of spoilage after opening the can:
- Small bubbles in the liquid
- Strange odor
- Mushy or cloudy foods
- Exploding or spurting contents after breaking the can’s seal
If your cans show any of the above signs do not consume the contents.
Canned Food Safety
Canned goods safety is not difficult. Follow the steps outlined above, and if you are ever unsure about the safety of any food, use the “when it doubt, throw it out” rule for maximum safety. When you follow these rules, you won’t have to worry so much about the written expiration dates.
How long do you keep foods past their expiration dates?
Funny I was just wondering about this! My city was doing a food drive and I thought “great now I can give them some of the cans that I haven’t gotten around to using.” Unfortunately a lot of them had expired just a few months before (and embarrassingly I admit one or two were a year over the expiration date). I never really thought about cans that had dents in them, but now I will be sure to exchange it on the grocery shelf for a dent free can, hey better safe then sorry.
Was in the military in the early 60s and we had C-rations in cans from the early 40s . still here
lol the “still here” comment to justify doing unsafe things.
My best friend’s uncle was killed when he was thrown from a truck bed – they were driving around with the kids (my uncle and his friend) riding in the back. They were hit by a drunk driver who swerved into them.
My uncle was unscathed tho, so must be safe!!
Woe, person. A bit of a dramatic comparison, don’t you think? Where is your evidence that consuming canned goods 20 years past the expiration date is unsafe?
Eating 20 yr old canned goods is different that a car accident. Get real. If you’re hungry you’ll eat whatever you get your hands on.
You are so wrong. So very very wrong. Expired can food dates have nothing to do with botulism possibilities. Can food is sterile. Any botulism that would be in a canned food would be there regardless of a date, expired or not. Open slash damaged cans is what would make possible the bacteria that causes botulism, info that you do point out. But/ so your statement “one of the main risk of consuming expired canned food is the threat of botulism” is extremely misleading and confusing because you also state canned food can last indefinitely. I’m not splitting hairs here. If someone just reads your sentence/ statement above, they will think the date has to do with botulism. Absurd. It’s the open/damaged can, and really not even damaged since that can be a simple dent that doesn’t expose contents. Your article would be accurate except for that stupid misleading and very inaccurate sentence. And really, when in doubt throw it out? Again you shouldn’t throw out cans obviously still in good condition. Open them and empty contents into a compost! Or if no compost, the earth itself benefits when it eats the contents, and so do insects birds opossums etc!
Wylie, you need to relax a little. We’re not debating politics or religion here. I appreciate your input, but your tone is despicable.
I think the point is that your continued carelessness is despicable.
I found your article informative. I found Wylie Hudson comment very informative. As I read this article I also found your statement (“one of the main risk of consuming expired canned food is the threat of botulism”) is extremely confusing & contradicting because you also state canned food can last indefinitely. I was curious as to how you knew what “Wylie” tone was as we are typing a response. Not Speaking aloud. I found nothing wrong with ‘Wylie” comment & don’t even know him. Another reason for asking this question is because I was accused of being condescending a few days ago by a person who didn’t even know me. I simply made a informative comment & sent a link. So as I said before, I’m just curious.
Calm down Mikey, all is okay. Breath…ahhhhh.
Thank you Wylie ! I opened a can of new potatoes yesterday (12/07/18) and the sell by date was 2005; the can looked old was was not dented; even if it were, I would use any can unless there was seepage. We had had the can for years. I cut a potato up and ate it; it was fine, so i added half the tin to a beef stew with some fresh new potatoes to see if my partner could tell the difference; he couldn’t except the texture between the two was a little different, as texture is with tinned produce; my partner just commented ‘well tinned food does last nearly forever’. So do not be hasty and throw away.
I like what you wrote, it makes sense.
Thank you Wylie for the clarification!
Agreed….. Wylie is a little over the top on the critiques. I am 62 and found the information helpful and the responsibility for 100% accuracy, though impossible to find, is on us. Next you’ll be the one suing somebody for your reliance on the Internet. Chill
This is all very valuable information and thank you to the author. The most valuable for me is on “cans”, +2 years over the expiry date on acidic foods like tomatoes, fruit, and vinegar base. +5 years over the expiry date on canned vegetables and meat. Is still good to eat.
I think there’s a definite fear factor attached to consuming canned food past its sell by date. it really is common sense. if the can is at all damaged throw it away. if it isn’t and you open the tin without incident and it looks and smells normal then I’d use it. the key is don’t take risks. If in doubt chuck it out. canned food discovered on sunken ships was still edible and nutritional where the can was in tip top condition.
All canned goods are processed under high heat and pressure sealed….There should not be any thing left in the canned product to cause a problem….If a can is damaged or not sealed properly you will notice this rather easily….The lids will expand from the spoilage inside….If it looks or smells bad, chances are you should not eat it, unless you just really want to get sick….It would be wise to discard acid laden veggies, fruits are a product with vinegar, after 2 years….Anything else can be good as mentioned for up to five years, before they begin to lose their flavor….Some food can absorb a slight metal taste, which is unpleasant, but not necessarily something that will make you sick…..The best advise is, use your head, nose, eyes and taste to check as see if you feel it`s alright……After this your not sure, get rid of it……
Was always told not to buy crushed or dented cans because of the metal may be chipped inside or more the wear of the metal faster, glad i crossed over this page most real helpful interesting to see cans un harmed in any way are good for years even with a past date, I also was told the dates are more for the length the stores are allowed to keep stocked they must remove before that date. Some of my cans not more then a year or two old really the dates are hard to see or are no dates just codes so to say the least i am no decoder person so once i see the can in like almost new condition minus dust, I wipe it off and open it, was good smelling pumpkin we used it no problem, but another i had received from hand me down they received was past a date of two years so a little rusty on can just a little few specks but decided to open it for sure, well did see bubbles tiny and a watery small amount of liquid so was not so sure the smell really none so gave it a new home to the trash birds at the dump. Thank you all for the good advise, Sonja,
Thank-you it has been most helpful.
This article was VERY HELPFUL to me. Thank you VERY much. It not only saved a perfectly good can of diced, fire roasted tomatoes, it save my recipe! The can had a February 2017 expiration date and today is August 9, 2017. I was all set to throw it out and stopped just long enough to google it … and YAY, this article appeared. Again, many thanks!
Exactly what I just did tonight! Examined, and opened undented unrusted can that expired in April 2017 (it’s now Oct 2017) did the smell test – it’s all good. Thanks for the info
“Store your cans indoors in a room that is constantly between 50 and 70 degrees. ” I presume that’s Fahrenheit.
So what would be the consequences of storing at 40 degrees?
when i was staying in a domestic violence shelter, they showed me to the cellar that contained rows of surplus food. It was all outdated by at least 5 years. I made some boxed pudding with fresh milk. I got the worst food poisoning I have ever had in my life.
I later took a class on grocery shopping with a budget and meal preparation for a family. They taught us what was in this article.
Now, as a disabled mom. I get $60 a month from food stamps. I hear that Trump is going to cut that to $30, and give us a box of surplus food.
Needless to say, on $60 a month for 2 people, I already eat beans, rice, and ramen…hamburger is too expensive…I have been to food pantries but have not been forced to eat food that smelled raunchy since I was in the domestic violence shelter.
I ate many cans while I was there with no ill effect, but I learned to smell first and if doubt after opening , to throw away.
I am a bit sad I had to eat some corroded cans as a new breastfeeding mom.
These Days, I stock up on can sales where you have to buy many to get the sale price, and am careful how I keep them. I can even pick out a chocolate of my choosing once in awhile…with clearance priced…I am sad I might not have that soon. I don’t have the option of buying lobster now. But I am very grateful that despite my disability, I can make dinner. At least until they make me survive on $30 o month for 2 people and a box of powdered and processed foods.
If you haven’t done so already, you should contact the office that you went to for your disability benefits. Your dependent child may also qualify for benefits which could add to your income and food. Blessings!
I am also disabled,but get a little more than you do,still it is hard for anyone do live using just the small amount the gov. pays out,we have tired for food stamps,they says we do not quil.We B B Q during summer time cooking hot dogs,while watching the people next door cooking nice thick steak and drinking beer,will not get into what i think but they are from the DEEP south,you know where,they have over 25 living in one house,they all get stamps,sorry to say we live in texas,this state tends to give out money with out doing any back ground checks,us old people are left out in the cold and the more kids you have the more you get,i was raised if you can’t afford to take care of them,don’t have them.Hopefully but i know i will get some one mad,i know there are some that have lost jobs or has lost due to weather etc.for those i say sorry.but for the other you know what i mean.Michael
Boxed pudding doesn’t have anything in it which could cause food poisoning (it’s basically just corn starch, sugar, and a bit of chemical flavoring). I suspect the culprit was something in either the milk, or in the utensils that you used to mix up the pudding mix. :-( Milk can “taste fresh” and still harbor listeria or salmonella. The most common source of this happening in pasteurized milk is somebody leaves the milk out on the kitchen counter long enough for it to warm up, or takes a “swig” out of the milk jug, and then puts it back into the fridge. So sorry that happened to you.
My understanding is that the food stamps cuts only apply to able-bodied people with NO dependents, so you shouldn’t be affected. Blessings to you!
As a prepper with a significant pantry which I’m constantly trying to rotate, I find it a good habit to go down into my basement, pull out any canned goods that are expired or will be expiring in the very near future, and bring them upstairs when I do menu-planning so I can use them up. Still … sometimes I miss something. I had a couple of cans of salmon which had gotten pushed into the wrong section (kids!!!) from July of 2011. After vascillating back and forth about whether to use it (it passed all the usual “safe” tests other than the sell-by date), I made tuna-noodle casserole and am happy to report that all of us survived. The fact said aforementioned cans of salmon were horrifically expensive contributed to my decision to take a risk … had it been a can of peas I probably would have tossed it. It tasted okay, but the texture was a bit “mealier” than usual, so I won’t be making “extreme past the sell-by date” usage a normal occurrence.
I made a sausage & potato casserole with cans of unexpired & 2 years expired potatoes, it was tasty, texture was fine & nobody got sick (:
June 2022 I am holding an empty jar in my hand that has no expiration date, but states “1990 Romanoff International, Inc” that contained a no longer made LaSauce Chicken Bake Chunky Sweet’n’sour Easy Chicken Baking Sauce that I was reserved about using a few months ago. The jar is in good condition and the seal was good, the contents not as bright and colorful as when it was new. I dearly loved this product when it was current, and as is my habit, I like to have a replacement for anything I use before I use the last one I have, hence the reason I stored it so long, waiting to find another jar. I finally decided I was going to use it, and am so glad I did not throw it out! Just as wonderful as I remembered, if not as pretty when served up. I saved the jar for the ingredients listed, so I can experiment and try making something at least similar of my own. They are: high fructose corn syrup, pineapple, water, tomato paste, vinegar, modified food starch, sweet bell peppers, brown sugar hydrolyzed vegetable protein, citric acid, salt, red bell peppers, spices and dried onions. Some risky ingredients there, but in this case, I am glad that I had not seen this article before, else I might not have taken the chance. I guess you could say this is a product I could die for!!