Grocery cans shelf life

[lost-traveler]

I read in an earlier thread that the shelf life of a canned good is only one year. Is that actually true? I thought that those things were good indefinitely as long as the can remained sealed. I remember in army basic training during the early eighties that we were sometimes fed c-rations that were clearly dated in the mid 50's. How long have you kept a can and then used it? What are some of your experiences with store bought canned goods?

[NCLee]

As long as the can is sealed and there are no signs of spoilage, the food is safe to eat. Over time (years) there can be flavor and color changes that affect quality. That doesn't mean you'll get sick from eating it.

Same principle as home canned foods. As long as the seal is intact and there are no signs of spoilage, the food is safe. Signs of spoilage in either....

You don't hear the seal release when the can/jar is opened. Excessive foaming. Foul odor. Bulging can (top/bottom have a domed shape). Doesn't smell like that particular product should smell after canning it. Signs of mold. Unusual color change. It's normal for some food to darken during storage, but this shouldn't be excessive. If your ears, eyes, and/or nose tell you something isn't right - throw it out. The golden rule is when in doubt, throw it out.

Bear in mind, that generally metal cans won't have the storage life of glass canning jars. Acids in the foods can attack the metals in cans much more easily than the lid of a canning jar. Fruits are the worst and you can lose cans after a couple of years or so. They bear closer watching, as does tomato sauces, pastes, etc.

There are no industry regulations regarding those sell by, use by, best by dates on cans/jars. (Exception - baby food). Each producer sets their own standards based on their own reasoning/research/profit motives, etc.

All that said, :) there is nutritional loss over time for all canned foods. And, the longer it stays on the shelf the higher the potential the seal will fail. So, it does pay to keep keep foods rotated, using the oldest first.

Store what you eat and eat what you store.

Hope this helps.
Lee

[Michael32170]

Minimum
Item Shelf Life*

BREAD, CEREAL, RICE and PASTA GROUP
Wheat, Grain, Flour - Select 242 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Bread Mix 2 yrs. w/o yeast
Cornmeal/Polenta 1 year
Flour, White, enriched 1 year
Popcorn Kernels 2 years
Tortillas, Corn 6 months
Tortillas, Flour 6 months
Wheat, raw, whole 25 years
Other
Other

Rice & Pasta - Select 40 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Ramen Noodles, beef 2 years
Ramen Noodles, chicken 2 years
Rice, brown 1 year
Rice, jasmine 8 months
Rice, white enriched 2 years
Rice, wild 8 months
Spaghetti and Macaroni 2 years
Spaghetti w/ sauce, canned 2 years
Other
Other

Cereals, Processed & Prepared - Select 37 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Breakfast Bars 6 months
Cream of Wheat 1 year
Mini-wheats 1 year
Oats, rolled 18 months
Other
Other

MEAT, POULTRY, FISH, DRIED BEANS, EGGS and NUT GROUP
Meats & Fish - Select 350 servings, per adult serve, for 6 months
Anchovies 1-2 years
Beef, corned, canned 1-2 years
Caviar 1 year
Chicken, canned, single serve 1-2 years
Clams, canned 1-2 years
Crab, canned 1-2 years
Ham, canned, single serve 1-2 years
Jerky 6 months
Leg Ham, canned, single serve 5 years
Oysters, canned 1-2 years
Salmon, canned, single serve 2-3 years
Shrimp, canned, single serve 1-2 years
Spam, serves 2 5 years
Tuna w/chili 1-2 years
Tuna, serves 2 1.5 years
Turkey, canned, single serve 1-2 years
TVP-Textured Vegetable Protein 2-3 years
Other
Other

Legumes, Beans, Peas - Select 40 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Bean Dip
Beans, Borlotti, dry 1 year
Beans, Chick Peas, dry 1 year
Beans, Kidney, dry 1 year
Beans, Pinto or Pink, dry 1 year
Beans, Mexe (Old El Paso) 2 years
Beans, Refried (Old El Paso) 2 years
Beans, 4-Bean Mix 2 years
Lentils, dry 1 year
Other
Other

Nuts - Select 25 pounds minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Peanut Butter 9 months
Pecans 1 year
Other
Other

Eggs - Select 12 dozen minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Egg Replacer 2 years
Eggs, Dehydrated
Other

VEGETABLE GROUP
Vegetables - Select 500 servings, per adult serve, for 6 months
Artichoke Hearts 3-4 years
Asparagus 2 years
Bamboo Shoots 3-4 years
Bean, Green 2 years
Beans, Corn, Peppers 2 years
Beans Lima 4 years
Beans, Wax 2 years
Capers 3-4 years
Carrots 8 years
Corn 2 years
Corn, creamed 2 years
Corn/Peas 2 years
Enchilada Sauce 2 years
Fajita Sauce 2 years
Jalapenos, sliced 2 years
Mushrooms 3-4 years
Onions, Cocktail 2 years
Peas 8 years
Peas & Carrots 8 years
Popcorn, unpopped 3 years
Potatoes, flaked 2 years
Pumpkin 4 years
Salsa, Chunky 2 years
Spaghetti Sauce 2 years
Taco Sauce 2 years
Tiny Taters 2 years
Tomato Paste 2 years
Tomatoes, Italian 2 years
Tomatoes, peeled 2 years
Water Chestnuts 3-4 years
Other
Other

Soup - Select 125 servings, per adult serve, for 6 months (depending on variety can be meat, vegetable, starch and/or milk)
Dry Soup Mix, single serve 1 year
Soup, condensed, serves 2 2 - 3 years
Soup, ready to eat, single serve 2 - 3 years
Other
Other

Bouillon - Select 1 pound, per adult serve, for 6 months
Broth, Beef, powdered 2 years
Broth, Chicken, powdered 2 years
Other


FRUIT GROUP
Fruits - Select 625 servings, per adult serve, for 6 months
Apple Slices, canned 2 years
Applesauce 3 years
Banana, Dried Chips 8 months
Blueberries, canned 2 years
Cherries, jar 2 years
Fruit Salad/Cocktail, canned 2 years
Fruit Juice 2 years
Oranges, Mandarin 2 years
Peach, slices, canned 18 months
Pear halves, canned 3 years+
Pie Filling 2-3 years
Pineapple, Crushed 3 years+
Pineapple Juice 1-2 years
Pineapple, Pieces 18 months
Pineapple, Slices 2 years
Raspberries, canned 2 years
Strawberries, canned 2 years
Other
Other

MILK, CHEESE and YOGURT
Milk and Dairy - Select 75 pounds minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Cheese, Processed 9 months
Coffee Mate 2 years
Milk, Full Cream, powdered 2 years
Milk, Non-fat, dry 2 years
Milk, Shelf Stable 6 months
Parmesan, grated 9 months
Other
Other

Canned Milk - Select 12 cans minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Evaporated milk (cans) 1 year
Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 year

FATS, OILS and SWEETS GROUP
Oils, Fats and Shortening - Select 7.5 gallons/30 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Corn Oil 2 years
Crisco, solid, butter flavor 18 months
Crisco, solid, plain 2 years
Mayonnaise 6 months
Olive Oil 6-9 months
Pure & Simple/Pam 18 months
Salad Dressing 1 year



Honey, Sugar and Syrup - Select 50 pounds minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Equal 2 years
Corn Syrup 1 year
Honey 1 year
Maple Syrup 2 years
Molasses 1 year
Sugar, brown 6 months
Sugar, granulated 2 years
Sugar, powdered 2 years
Other
Other

MISCELLANEOUS FOOD ITEMS

COMFORT FOODS - Select as desired
Cake/Brownie Mix 9 months
Chewing Gum, Bubblegum Extra 12 months
Chewing Gum, Juicy Fruit 12 months
Chewing Gum, Wrigley's Spearmint 12 months
Chocolate Bars, depending on ingredients 1 year +/-
Chocolate Chips 2 years
Chocolate Melts 18 months
Crackers, Misc. 8 months
Crackers, Ritz 8 months
Hard Candy 2 years
Muffin Mix 9 months
Pancake Mix 6-9 months
Pudding, canned 1-2 years
Pudding, Vanilla/Chocolate 1 year
Saltines, Regular 8 months
Saltines, Wholemeal 8 months
Toaster Pastries 2-3 months
Other
Other

BAKING ITEMS

LEAVENING AGENTS - Select 1 pound, per adult serve, for 6 months
Baking Powder 2 years
Baking Soda 2 years
Bread Improver 18 months
Yeast, Dry 18 months
Other
Other

THICKENERS - Select 2.5 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Cornstarch/Cornflour 18 months
Gelatin 18 mos-indefinite
Other
Other

SPICES, FLAVORINGS and CONDIMENTS

CONDIMENTS - Select as needed
BBQ Sauce 2 years
Chicken Tonight 2 years
Hollandaise Sauce 2 years
Horseradish 18 months
Jams 18 months
Ketchup 2 years
Lemon Juice 1 year
Lime Juice 1 year
Liquid Smoke 2 years
Mustard, American 2 years
Mustard, Dijon 2 years
Mustard, English 2 years
Olives, pitted 2 years
Olives, sliced 2 years
Pickle Relish 2 years
Pickles 2 years
Vinegar 1 year
Other
Other

SALT - Select 2.5 pounds, per adult serve, for 6 months
Salt indefinite

SPICES - Select 2 pound minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Bacon Bits 2 years
Basil Leaves (Sweet) 2 years
Bay Leaf 2 years
Cayenne 2 years
Chili Flakes, Red Pepper, Crushed 2 years
Chili Powder 2 years
Chili Powder, Mexican 2 years
Chilies, ground 2 years
Cinnamon, ground 2 years
Cumin 3 years
Dill 2 years
Garlic, fresh, minced 2 years
Garlic Powder 2 years
Garlic Salt 2 years
Garlic, minced 2 years
Marjoram Leaves 2 years
Meat Tenderizer 1.5 years
Mexican Seasoning 2 years
Nutmeg 2 years
Onion Powder 4 years
Onion, chopped, dried 2 years
Oregano Leaves Indefinite
Paprika 2 years
Parsley Leaves 2 years
Pepper, garlic 2 years
Pepper, ground 2 years
Peppercorn, whole 2 years
Pizza 2 years
Rosemary 2 years
Sage 2 years
Seasoned Salt 2 years
Sesame Seed 2 years
Taco Seasoning 2 years
Tarragon 2 years
Thyme 2 years
Other
Other

FLAVORINGS and EXTRACTS - 1/2 pound minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Almond 1-2 years
Cocoa, powdered 1-2 years
Lemon 1-2 years
Orange 1-2 years
Vanilla 2 years
Other
Other


WET YOUR WHISTLE

BEVERAGES - Select 350 servings minimum, per adult serve, for 6 months
Coffee, auto drip 3 months
Coffee, instant, decaf 2 years
Coffee, instant, regular 2 years
Cranberry Juice 2 years
Gator Aide/Stamina Aid 2 years
Hot Cocoa 8 months
Ovaltine 18 months
Powdered Drink/Kool Aid 2 years
Tang 2 years
Tea, Cinnamon Apple (24 count) 18 months
Tea, Earl Grey (100 count) 3 years
Tea, Strawberry Kiwi (24 count) 18 months
Water, drinking (tap water) 6 months
Other N/A
Other N/A

BOOZE - Select as desired
Wine, red 7-10 years
Wine, red, cooking 7-10 years
Wine, white 5-7 years
Wine, white, cooking 5-7 years
Other N/A
Other N/A

FUR, FIN and FEATHER

PET SUPPLIES
Cat Box indefinite
Cat Box Liners indefinite
Cat Cage for Transportation indefinite
Cat Food, Canned 18 months
Cat Food, Dry 18 months
Cat Food, Foil Pouches 12 months
Cat Leash indefinite
Cat Litter indefinite
Cat Water (1 pint per cat, per day) indefinite
Catnip Toys 18 months
Dog Bones 18 months
Dog Chewies N/A
Dog Food Bowl indefinite
Dog Food, Dry (depends on animal size) indefinite
Dog Water Bowl indefinite
Dog, Leash indefinite
Dog, Muzzle indefinite
Dog, Water (1 gal/med. dog/day) indefinite
Fish Food, (how many fish?) 12 months
Hair Ball Medicine
Tennis Balls indefinite
Other N/A
Other N/A

[NCLee]

Properly stored, some foods have a 30 year shelf life. Here's a link to get you started.

http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7798-1-4224-1,00.html
There's more info at this site that may be useful.

Lee

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I have kept canned goods many years.... many, many years, much longer than one or two years. As long as they don't rust through, smell good and taste ok, they are ok.

[midmo]

...
Tuna w/chili 1-2 years
...

Tuna with chili?? :fie:

[Aseries]

Reading that list above with the years it will last, all I have to say is, I dont know who wrote it but that thing needs some serious revision. I've had and still have some items on that list that are way beyond the dates on the listing.

I have had a few canned goods go as far as 4 years old, usually vegetables, but I usually try to use most of them in 2 years. Meats in a can I remember in Boot camp unloading cans of Ham from 1967 and I was in military in late 90s. Just depends on how much salt is in the meat.

I know when it comes to dry beans or corn, just keep it cool and dry and most of it will probably be able to plant in your garden for 5 or more years and edible for almost 10 years or more. Flour, I have read people on here who have had flours in excess of 3 or more years, keep it dry, keep the bugs out of it and it lasts quite awhile.

I think the oldest canned goods I have are canned corn there 5 years old. I lost them in the old pantry. The thing I find that doesnt last very long from the store is Tomato Paste. The acid in there eats the liners of the cans and boy it goes bad.

Mostly, though I try to rotate my stock pile and keep things going. I have kept cambells soup in a can for well over two years past the date. I cant help it they go on sale for like .59cents here, so I buy a few cases and eat them for lunch as quickie..

Anyone else...

[S2man]

Cat leash - indefinite. That's a good one.

@Aseries, I would assume that is a list of recommended shelf lives, not maximum. And as Lee said, though it may be edible, there is a loss of nutrients over long periods of time.

Re: tuna w/ chili. How about oil packed tuna? Ewwww.

[Bones]

Don't tell the wife but we had some cream of mushroom soup today that expired in Aug and we are still alive. Put it in the crock pot with some turkey meatballs and a can of french onion soup with the expired mushroom soup.

I expect we both will turn into zombies later tonight.

[siletz]

As long as the seal is not broken, it will not go "bad" as in make you sick. It was cooked to kill all buggies when it was canned and is now in a vacuum state. It may go mushy or whatever, but not inedible.

The following link is to a site that talks about a ship that sunk in 1865. When they pulled up some cans from it in 1974, the food was tested and determined to be safe to eat.
http://can-i-eat-this.livejournal.com/327412.html

As always, it's best to rotate, but don't worry if you get behind.

[siletz]

Here's another link with some good info on more than just canned goods.

http://grandpappy.info/hshelff.htm

[NCLee]

I like Grandpappy's site, too. There's a ton of practical/helpful information there.

Lee

[DKR]

http://www.stilltasty.com/ has information on shelf life of common foods.

I would note that a sample size of one is a bit small for nutrition claims.

One thing I have noted, and store myself, are products from Hormel Foods Corporation, like SPAM. The company claims and the FDA agrees there is no 'shelf life' on sealed Hormel products due to the way they are processed.

In the end, it is mostly about taste.

Disclaimer - no interest in the HFC, just a happy consumer.

[NCLee]

In the end, it is mostly about taste.

Agree!

Add to that gradual loss of some nutrients.

Story that I probably shouldn't share :) but will anyway.

To help with a local non-profit event, I raided the freezer to see if there was anything I could pull out to add to the menu. Yep, there was a old turkey that I hadn't taken the time to can. Best Buy date was a year old. (Told you I shouldn't share this story. :wink: )

Told the event manager that I didn't know how badly it was freezer burned. He decided to give it a try and see what happened. There was some freezer burn. Trimmed the worst of it off, put it in a pot and cooked it for turkey salad. Tasted the meat before deboning. Flavor was fine. I made the salad using chicken salad recipe as a guide. Ate it myself and received compliments from others, who tried it.

Moral of the Story: There's no telling how much safe food goes to landfills because so many put absolute faith in -- Use By, Best By, Sell By. While others go hungry. And equally as bad, IMHO, people who can't afford to do so, will toss that food and sacrifice in some manner because they did toss it.

Lee