Many people toss canned foods once the date has passed, but most of those labels—like “Best By” or

“Best Before”—indicate quality, not safety. In fact, properly stored canned goods can remain safe long after their printed dates.

Quality vs. Safety: “Best By” means peak flavor and texture, while “Use By” applies mainly to perishable

items like meat or dairy. Canned foods kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight often last for years beyond those dates.

Shelf Life: High-acid foods (tomatoes, citrus) are best within 12–18 months, while low-acid foods (beans, corn, meats) can last 3–5 years or more.

According to the USDA, as long as the can isn’t damaged, the contents may remain safe indefinitely, though flavor may fade.

Check Before You Eat: Discard cans that are bulging, leaking, rusty, deeply dented, discolored,

or have odd smells or spurting liquid. These are clear signs of spoilage.

Learning to distinguish between quality and safety helps cut waste, save money, and protect the environment.

So before tossing an expired can, inspect it—if it looks and smells fine, it’s likely still safe and ready to serve.