Canned goods are perfect for quick meals and emergency scenarios. Here's what you need to know about how long canned food lasts—and how to store it properly.
How Long Does Canned Food Really Last?
Updated on Apr. 30, 2025
We all love comforting, home-cooked meals made entirely from scratch and served hot. But let’s be honest: Some days, the thought of chopping onions or scrubbing pots just doesn’t appeal. Other days, we simply don’t have the time. Whether you’re fighting a jam-packed schedule (or find yourself stuck in the middle of a zombie apocalypse), nonperishable foods like canned goods can be absolute lifesavers. These are easy to whip up and seemingly last forever. But how long does canned food last—really?
We reached out to food experts Candice Christian, an area specialized agent in consumer and retail food safety with North Carolina State University, and Tamika D. Sims, PhD, the senior director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council, to learn more about the shelf life of canned goods. Whether you want to know exactly how long that canned food in your pantry will last or ways to properly store it, read on. We’ve got you covered with advice straight from food-preservation pros.
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Do canned foods really expire?
Yes, canned foods do expire, but it takes a (really) long time for it to happen. The way canned foods are produced allows them to last a long time (we’re talking years). According to Christian, proper canning methods “remove oxygen, destroy enzymes present in the food and prevent the growth of unwanted microorganisms.” If stored properly, canned foods can even maintain their quality longer than indicated by the can’s expiration date.
According to the USDA, if the expiration date passes on canned food in your pantry, “the product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident.” In other words, if you open a can of food that’s past its expiration date and it looks and smells fine, then it probably is.
So what do the dates on canned food mean?
If it’s OK to eat expired canned foods, what are the dates on canned food for? Well, the best-by and use-by dates stamped on canned goods are there to give you an estimate of how long the food will maintain its highest quality, nutritional value and taste.
If a canned food item in your pantry has surpassed the best-by date, it might not taste as good as when it was first produced, and the nutrients may be lower, but it’s unlikely to be spoiled. Think about it: How could a manufacturer predict that a food item will suddenly be unsafe to eat when the clock strikes midnight on a day years in the future? The best-by date gives you an indication of quality, not safety.
Of course, all canned foods lose nutrients during the manufacturing process. But a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture says that despite the initial nutrient loss, canned foods maintain nutrient stability for long periods of time thanks to the oxygen-free sealed environment inside the can. Spoilage, especially of canned foods, takes much longer and is heavily dependent on storage conditions.
So rest assured: The can of peaches in your pantry that expired last week is perfectly safe to eat, although its vitamin C content might be going down slightly with each passing day. (And it probably won’t taste as good as when it was first manufactured.)
When should you toss your canned food?
Canned foods last a long time, but some factors (more on that below) could cause them to spoil way before the expiration date. Here are some signs that your canned food is unsafe to eat, according to the USDA:
- Bulges: Cans that are swollen or bulging, even just a little, may indicate the presence of dangerous bacteria like Clostridium botulinum.
- Rust: Rust degrades metal and creates tiny holes in the can, letting air and bacteria sneak in. Once the airtight seal is gone, food safety is compromised.
- Dents: Dents weaken a can’s structure, making it easier for spoilage bacteria and rust to contaminate the contents.
- Leaks: Oozing, leaking cans indicate contamination and are signs that the food is not safe to eat.
- Odd smell, color or texture: Food that looks off, smells funny or has an unexpected texture when you open the can should be discarded, even if the can itself looks fine.
If you notice any of the above signs, the food should be considered “unsafe to consume and should be discarded to avoid foodborne illness,” according to Sims. Microbial contamination can make you super sick, and ingesting Clostridium botulinum, the pathogen that causes botulism, can be fatal. Luckily, botulism in contaminated foods is rare, but throw out any cans that exhibit the above red flags just in case.
How long does canned food last?
It depends on the food. According to the USDA, high-acid canned foods like tomatoes, fruits and pickled foods have shorter shelf lives and tend to keep their best quality for up to 12 to 18 months. This is because acidity accelerates chemical changes in food. Low-acid canned foods like meats and vegetables can keep for two to five years.
Here’s a canned food expiration chart for some common food items you likely have in your pantry right now:
| Food item | Shelf life |
| Fruits (peaches, pears, apple pie filling) | 12–18 months |
| Tomato products (whole, crushed, sauce) | 12–18 months |
| Pickled vegetables | 12–18 months |
| Sauerkraut | 2–5 years |
| Vegetables (peas, corn, green beans) | 2–5 years |
| Beans (black, kidney, pinto, garbanzo) | 2–5 years |
| Soups (non-tomato-based) | 2–5 years |
| Meats (ham, tuna, sausage) | 2–5 years |
According to the USDA, most shelf-stable foods last indefinitely and are safe to eat as long as they’ve been stored properly. Could you eat canned food that’s 20 years old? Probably, but do the sight and smell test before tossing anything that old into your recipes. (You’ll have better luck with beans and non-tomato vegetables and soups.)
In fact, according to the Utah State University Extension, beans packaged in No. 10 (aka industrial-size) cans or Mylar-type bags with the oxygen removed have a shelf life of 10 or more years. A study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University found that pinto beans, in particular, could be stored up to 30 years, with more than 80% of consumers on a test panel saying that they were acceptable from a taste perspective.
What about home-canned foods? How long does canned food last if you do it yourself? If you’re canning your own food in Mason jars, Christian says you should consume those items within one year.
What affects the shelf life of canned goods?
Two main factors impact whether or not a canned food will be safe to consume after its best-by date has passed. These are:
- Storage temperature: If you place the can of tomato soup you just bought on the windowsill during summer, don’t be surprised if it goes bad in a fraction of its designated shelf life. Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can alter chemical processes inside the can and spoil the contents. It’s best to store canned goods at room temperature.
- Acidity of the food: High-acid foods like tomatoes, peaches and pineapples spoil faster than protein-heavy foods like beans and meat. Plus, those canned tomatoes will taste better if you store them appropriately and eat them before the expiration date.
Is it safe to eat expired canned food?
It’s usually OK to eat expired canned food, as long as you watch for signs of deterioration.
Sims says canned goods can be safe and healthy to consume for years after their best-by or best-quality dates but stresses that the cans must be inspected for deep dents, swelling and rust. “If the can’s integrity has been compromised, it means the food inside can be contaminated,” she says, adding that cans may be damaged if they’re frozen, stored in high-heat areas or kept in moist conditions.
Again, the use-by and sell-by dates stamped on cans generally indicate when the manufacturer estimates the food will have lost its peak quality, freshness or nutritional value—not whether it’s safe to eat. However, those dates aren’t perfect indicators of how long canned food lasts, so use your best judgment: If it doesn’t look or smell right, it’s probably not.
How should you store canned food?
Store canned foods in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or cupboard that is not subject to extreme temperatures. Avoid stashing cans on top of your refrigerator, next to the stove or oven, and certainly never in your car.
Sims says the ideal temperature for canned goods is 85 degrees or lower. Avoid temperatures below freezing and over 100 degrees. She suggests checking the temperature in your pantry periodically, particularly if you live in a warmer climate. Of course, plenty of people in warm climates eat canned foods, so manufacturers have perfected canning techniques to resist adverse environmental conditions.
Once canned food has been opened, transfer unused portions into a storage container with a lid (glass and plastic work great) and pop them in the refrigerator. High-acid foods (like tomatoes) will last five to seven days in the fridge, while low-acid foods (like meats and veggies) will last three to five days.
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Sources:
- Candice Christian, area specialized agent in consumer and retail food safety with North Carolina State University; interviewed, 2022
- Tamika Sims, PhD, senior director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council; interviewed, 2022
- FDA: “How to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Food Safety”
- FoodSafety.gov: “FoodKeeper App”
- USDA: “How long can you keep canned goods?”
- USDA: “Food Product Dating”
- USDA: “Shelf-Stable Food Safety”
- Utah State University Extension: “Storing Dry Beans”
- Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture: “Nutritional comparison of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Part 1. Vitamins C and B and phenolic compounds”
- Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture: “Advanced preservation methods and nutrient retention in fruits and vegetables”
