Fall often brings thoughts of food drives and holiday meals. But what about those canned goods tucked away in your pantry, lingering past their “best before” dates? Are they still safe to consume? Experts suggest that canned goods can be safe to consume after the Can Food Expiry Date.
Canned foods enjoy an extended shelf life because they’re hermetically sealed, shielding them from air and light, the prime culprits of food spoilage, according to Michael Gänzle, a food microbiologist at the University of Alberta.
“Generally, everything you buy in a supermarket, outside of fresh vegetables and refrigerated items, is safe well past the best-before date, as long as the quality is what you want it to be,” he says. This principle also applies to food donations. Food Banks Canada offers some guidelines:
- Boxed or bagged granola, flours, rice, dry pastas, cookies, crackers and cereal bars: Up to six to 12 months past the best-before date.
- Canned, bottled or jarred pastas, meats, fish, tomato sauces and condiments: One to two years past the best-before date. (If packaged in boxes or bags, they’re accepted up to six to 12 months past the best-before date).
Evaluating Food Quality Post Can Food Expiry Date
The key is to assess the food’s quality. Before opening, check for any signs of damage to the can, such as bulging, dents, or rust. After opening, rely on your senses.
Lynn McMullen, also a food microbiologist at the U of A, advises using your senses: “Your nose and eyes are valuable tools to decide whether something is good enough to eat or not.” Look for any discoloration, mold, or unusual textures. Trust your sense of smell and check for any unusual odors.
“If the food isn’t in the condition you are expecting to see, then don’t eat it. But if it looks and smells OK, it probably is OK,” Gänzle says.
Misconceptions About Can Food Expiry Date
Many people are unaware of how long packaged food can actually last. This lack of knowledge often leads to unnecessary food waste. McMullen admits to having safely consumed sour cream months after its “expired” date.
“There isn’t a lot of knowledge about best-before dates, so there are misconceptions,” she says.
Gänzle suggests that modern consumers’ disconnect from food production contributes to these misconceptions.
“Past generations baked their own bread, made their own meat, bottled their own cider. But today we don’t know much about canning or food production. You look at a best-before date and don’t know any better,” he explains.
Understanding “Best Before” Dates
Health Canada mandates “best before” dates on perishable foods with a shelf life of 90 days or less, such as dairy products. However, for canned goods, which generally exceed this timeframe, these dates are more indicative of quality than a strict expiration deadline.
“It gives consumers an idea of how long the food will retain its quality and useful life,” McMullen explains.
The “best before” date signifies the supplier’s confidence that the product will maintain its optimal quality until that date, assuming proper storage conditions. However, factors like temperature fluctuations or accidental can damage can affect the food’s quality over time. If a can is punctured, for example, it’s best to discard the contents, Gänzle says.
Key Takeaways About Can Food Expiry Date
In summary, while “best before” dates offer a guideline, canned goods are often safe to consume well beyond these dates, provided the can is intact, and the contents appear and smell normal. Don’t be afraid to use your senses and common sense to make informed decisions about the safety of your canned foods.
Remember to donate any unopened, unexpired canned goods to your local food bank to help those in need.
