Before You Toss Food, Wait. Check It Out! (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat 20 year old canned food? ›

Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.

Can you eat “expired” canned food? Good news: Shelf-stable canned goods are safe more or less indefinitely, lasting up to five years or more according to the USDA. It's typically safe to eat food that's past its expiration date, with a few exceptions.

Cans in good condition—meaning no dents, swelling or rust—stored in a cool, clean, dry place are safe indefinitely. We're talking corn, peas, carrots, green beans, asparagus, peaches, pears, pineapple and so much more.

Shelf Life. When properly sealed and stored, polished white rice will store well for 25 to 30 years.

An open jar of commercially processed peanut butter lasts up to 3 months in the pantry and up to 9 months in the refrigerator. Natural peanut butter has a shorter shelf life and lasts up to 6 months in the refrigerator once opened.

In most cases, the best-by dates for cans of Spam are approximately three years after the manufacturing date. After the best-by date, Spam is still safe to eat; however, it may change in appearance, taste, or nutritional value.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, canned contents are safe to eat as long as the can is in “good shape.” The Canned Food Alliance agrees, citing 100-year-old canned food that was recovered from sunken ships and tested microbiologically safe.

An oft-repeated reason to avoid sticking an open can in the fridge is that chemicals from the metal can and packaging could seep into the food and contaminate it with Bisphenol-A (BPA). This synthetic compound has hormone-like properties, which can build up in humans and potentially affect metabolism and disease rates.

Whole grains and legumes: Staples such as rice, quinoa, beans, and lentils, when stored in a cool, dry environment, can boast shelf lives that span several years. Honey: This sweet nectar, thanks to its natural composition, can remain consumable indefinitely when stored in a sealed container.

Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use.

Why does honey never expire? ›

No, honey does not go bad. Because honey has a low water content and high acidity, it's an unfriendly place for bacteria to thrive. As long as the lid stays on and the honey stays free of added moisture, honey can be stored in the cupboard indefinitely.

We recommend having a selection of grains in your emergency food stockpile. Grains like quinoa, barley, flax, millet, grits, and rye are super versatile. And when properly sealed in airtight containers, they can last upwards of 10 years.

Salt // Forever

Not only does salt have the ability to preserve or cure foods, but it is also heavily used in cooking, cleaning, and first aid. Since it's a mineral, salt essentially has an infinite shelf life, and because our body needs it, that makes it a critical commodity.