🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 6 (from laksa017)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa006.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/okay-eat-expired-canned-food/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/okay-eat-expired-canned-food/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/","crawl_time":1775767636,"first_indexed_time":1673633804,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,foodbankrockies!www,\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/ s443","src_root_hash":"14236795802381495806","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Is It Okay to Eat Expired Canned Food? | Food Bank of the Rockies","meta_descriptions":["Is it okay to eat expired canned food? It depends! Here's what you should know before you toss out \"expired\" canned goods."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Most savvy consumers would jump at the chance to save 20% on their groceries, or get 20% cash back on their weekly food purchases. But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good?\nAccording to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.”\nThe FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out!\nAre food product date labels required by law?\nOutside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products.\nWhat does a food product’s date label refer to?\nFood product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat.\nAccording to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.”\nCan you eat “expired” canned food?\nGood 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.\nIf the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing.\nWhat are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe?\nCans with deep dents (deeper than 1\/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust.\nDiscard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it.\nCan temperature affect the safety of canned food?\nYes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution.\nWhere can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat?\nThe\nFoodKeeper app\nis an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger.\nView Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines","attrs_markdown":"![A joyful woman in a pink blouse and young girl in a blue shirt share a tender moment, smiling with noses touching, as the girl holds a yellow apple.](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17114350\/background-9622-large.jpg)\n\n## **2X Matching Gift Challenge**\nWe are seeing worrying signs of increasing hardship all across our region.\n\nTo help meet this moment, your gift today will be matched to make 2X the impact for our neighbors.\n\n*We are seeing worrying signs of increasing hardship all across our region.* Please, make a matched gift now.\n\nMATCH MY GIFT\n\n[×]()\n\n![Woman and child holding box of food.](https:\/\/acb0a5d73b67fccd4bbe-c2d8138f0ea10a18dd4c43ec3aa4240a.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com\/10156\/fbotr-lightbox-dec-15-30-2025.jpg?v=1764780144000)\n\n## **Year End MATCH Deadline: 12\/31**\n![24 hour timer](https:\/\/img1.niftyimages.com\/eudh\/40v7\/o6up)\n\nNow until December 31, **every \\$1 helps provide enough food for SIX meals** to our neighbors experiencing hunger.\n\nYear End **2X MATCH** Deadline: 12\/31\n\nMATCH MY GIFT\n\n[×]()\n\n![Woman and child holding box of food.](https:\/\/acb0a5d73b67fccd4bbe-c2d8138f0ea10a18dd4c43ec3aa4240a.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com\/10156\/fbotr-lightbox-dec-15-30-2025.jpg?v=1764780144000)\n\n## **TODAY ONLY: 5X MATCH**\n![24 hour timer](https:\/\/img1.niftyimages.com\/eudh\/m0v7\/r6up)\n\nUntil midnight, your tax-deductible gift will be 5X matched! That means **every \\$1 helps provide enough food for 15 meals.**\n\nYear End **5X MATCH** Deadline: 12\/31\n\nMATCH MY GIFT\n\n[×]()\n\n![A joyful woman in a pink blouse and young girl in a blue shirt share a tender moment, smiling with noses touching, as the girl holds a yellow apple.](https:\/\/acb0a5d73b67fccd4bbe-c2d8138f0ea10a18dd4c43ec3aa4240a.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com\/10156\/march-2026-lightbox.jpg?v=1774557533000)\n\n## **2X Match: *Deadline Extended\\!***\nHunger is on the rise across Colorado.\n\nNow through April 30, your donation will be matched to **make 2X the impact** for our neighbors.\n\nHelp address the emergency level of need in our region while your gift makes 2X the impact\\!\n\nMATCH MY GIFT\n\n[×]()\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/#content)\n\n[FIND FOOD](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/find-food\/)\n\n[VOLUNTEER](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/get-involved\/volunteer\/)\n\n[PARTNER PORTAL](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/partner-portal\/)\n\n[DONATE](https:\/\/give.foodbankrockies.org\/page\/76289\/donate\/1)\n\n[![Food Bank of the Rockies](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/04192032\/FBR_colorado_fullcolor.svg)](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/)\n\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/give.foodbankrockies.org\/page\/76289\/donate\/1)\n  - 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[Blog](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/newsletters\/)\n  - [Annual Report](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/annual-report\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/)\n  - [Hunger in Colorado](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/hunger-in-colorado\/)\n  - [Programs](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n    - [Culturally Responsive Food Initiative](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/culturally-responsive-food-initiative\/)\n    - [Everyday Eats](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/everyday-eats\/)\n    - [Food for Health](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/food-for-health\/)\n    - [Food for Kids](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/food-for-kids\/)\n    - [FRESH Program](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/fresh\/)\n    - [Government Programs](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/government-programs\/)\n    - [Food Rescue](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/food-rescue\/)\n    - [Mobile Pantries](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/mobile-pantries\/)\n    - [Nutrition](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/nutrition\/)\n    - [SNAP](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/snap\/)\n    - [Sustainability](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/programs\/sustainability\/)\n  - [Leadership](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/leadership\/)\n  - [Join Our Team](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/join-our-team\/)\n  - [Western Slope](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/western-slope\/)\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/contact-us\/)\n  - [FAQs](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/about\/faqs\/)\n- [Capital Campaign](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/capital-campaign\/)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/) » [Blog](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/) » Is It Okay to Eat Expired Canned Food?\n\n# Is It Okay to Eat Expired Canned Food?\n- [Food Bank of the Rockies](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/author\/eddy-beyondthebots\/)\n- [July 1, 2025](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/2025\/07\/01\/)\n- [Find Food](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/category\/find-food\/)\n\n![expired canned foods that are still safe to eat](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/04191239\/canned-food-expire.jpg)\n\nMost savvy consumers would jump at the chance to save 20% on their groceries, or get 20% cash back on their weekly food purchases. But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good?\n\nAccording to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.”\n\nThe FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out\\!\n\n## **Are food product date labels required by law?**\nOutside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products.\n\n## **What does a food product’s date label refer to?**\nFood product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat.\n\nAccording to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.”\n\n## **Can you eat “expired” canned food?**\nGood 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.\n\nIf the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing.\n\n## **What are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe?**\nCans with deep dents (deeper than 1\/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust.\n\nDiscard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it.\n\n## **Can temperature affect the safety of canned food?**\nYes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution.\n\n## **Where can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat?**\nThe [FoodKeeper app](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/keep-food-safe\/foodkeeper-app) is an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger.\n\n[View Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/04191929\/Food-Safety-Guide.pdf)\n#### Share:\n\nAlready registered? 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Read full USDA non-discrimination statement by [clicking here](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/12140923\/2025-Nondiscrimination-Statement-Website.pdf).\n\nFood Bank of the Rockies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization recognized by the IRS, ID 84-0772672. All donations are tax-deductible.\n\nCopyright © Food Bank of the Rockies\n## Enjoying this post? Subscribe for more great content.\n[Open toolbar](\"Accessibility Tools\")\n\nAccessibility Tools\n\n- [Increase Text](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Decrease Text](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Grayscale](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [High Contrast](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Negative Contrast](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Light Background](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Links Underline](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Readable Font](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)\n- [Reset](https:\/\/www.foodbankrockies.org\/blog\/okay-eat-expired-canned-food\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![expired canned foods that are still safe to eat](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/04191239\/canned-food-expire.jpg)\n\nMost savvy consumers would jump at the chance to save 20% on their groceries, or get 20% cash back on their weekly food purchases. But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good?\n\nAccording to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.”\n\nThe FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out\\!\n\n## **Are food product date labels required by law?**\nOutside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products.\n\n## **What does a food product’s date label refer to?**\nFood product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat.\n\nAccording to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.”\n\n## **Can you eat “expired” canned food?**\nGood 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.\n\nIf the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing.\n\n## **What are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe?**\nCans with deep dents (deeper than 1\/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust.\n\nDiscard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it.\n\n## **Can temperature affect the safety of canned food?**\nYes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution.\n\n## **Where can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat?**\nThe [FoodKeeper app](https:\/\/www.foodsafety.gov\/keep-food-safe\/foodkeeper-app) is an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger.\n\n[View Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines](https:\/\/medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/04191929\/Food-Safety-Guide.pdf)","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Health\":676,\"\/Food_and_Drink\":668,\"\/Health\/Nutrition\":658,\"\/Food_and_Drink\/Food\":452,\"\/Health\/Nutrition\/Other\":439,\"\/Food_and_Drink\/Food\/Other\":137}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":997,\"\/Article\/FAQ\":678}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":999}","meta_language":"en-us","attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":1751417638,"attrs_original_publish_time":1673633804,"attrs_is_republished":1,"attrs_nr_words":"1550","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"593","body_ext_links_number":17,"body_int_links_number":57,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":0,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":274,"download_ttfb_msec":188,"download_size":52248}

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Is It Okay to Eat Expired Canned Food? | Food Bank of the Rockies

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Is it okay to eat expired canned food? It depends! Here's what you should know before you toss out "expired" canned goods.

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Most savvy consumers would jump at the chance to save 20% on their groceries, or get 20% cash back on their weekly food purchases. But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good? According to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.” The FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out! Are food product date labels required by law? Outside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products. What does a food product’s date label refer to? Food product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat. According to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.” 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. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing. What are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe? Cans with deep dents (deeper than 1/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust. Discard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it. Can temperature affect the safety of canned food? Yes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution. Where can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat? The FoodKeeper app is an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger. View Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines

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But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good? According to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.” The FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out\! ## **Are food product date labels required by law?** Outside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products. ## **What does a food product’s date label refer to?** Food product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat. According to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.” ## **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. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing. ## **What are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe?** Cans with deep dents (deeper than 1/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust. Discard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it. ## **Can temperature affect the safety of canned food?** Yes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution. ## **Where can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat?** The [FoodKeeper app](https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app) is an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger. [View Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/04191929/Food-Safety-Guide.pdf) #### Share: Already registered? [Sign in](http://fbr.convio.net/site/ServiceCenter?pg=list) ##### Recent Posts - [Volunteer Program Expands on the Western Slope](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/volunteer-program-expands-on-the-western-slope/) - [Meeting the Need for Protein Through Local Partnerships](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/meeting-need-for-protein/) - [Making Good Food Go Further with the Food Rescue Program](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/making-good-food-go-further-food-rescue-program/) - [Food for Health Program Helps Neighbors Focus on Healing](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/food-health-program-helps-neighbors/) - [Volunteers Experience Their First Shift in New Distribution Center](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/volunteers-experience-their-first-shift-in-new-distribution-center/) ![](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/04192106/Home-Food-Bank-of-the-Rockies-logo-reversed.png) #### EXPLORE [Contact](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/contact-us/) [Find Food](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/find-food/) [Volunteer](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/get-involved/volunteer/) [Give](https://give.foodbankrockies.org/page/76289/donate/1) [Blog](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/blog/) [About](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/) [Partner Portal](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/partner-portal/) #### Company [Our Supporters](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/corporate-supporters/) [Strategic Plan](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/strategic-plan/) [Financials](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/financials/) [Join Our Team](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/join-our-team/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.foodbankrockies.org/privacy-policy/) #### FOLLOW [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FoodBankRockies) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/foodbankrockies/) [X-twitter](https://twitter.com/foodbankrockies) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/59095?trk=tyah) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUJQoSC5RoJPe9fjr74agg) Wherever hunger rises, so can we. Proud Partners of: [![Partner Feeding America](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/04192106/partner-feeding-america.png)](https://www.feedingamerica.org/) [![Partner United Way](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/04192105/partner-united-way.png)](https://www.unitedway.org/) Accredited by: [![](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/04190350/Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color-1-1024x1024.png)](https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3710) This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Read full USDA non-discrimination statement by [clicking here](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12140923/2025-Nondiscrimination-Statement-Website.pdf). Food Bank of the Rockies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization recognized by the IRS, ID 84-0772672. All donations are tax-deductible. 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![expired canned foods that are still safe to eat](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/04191239/canned-food-expire.jpg) Most savvy consumers would jump at the chance to save 20% on their groceries, or get 20% cash back on their weekly food purchases. But what if we told you that at least 20% of the food that you throw out on a weekly basis is still perfectly good? According to the FDA, Americans waste around 133 billion pounds of food every year — roughly 30-40% of the country’s entire food supply. A significant factor in that food waste is consumers throwing out wholesome food due to confusion stemming from date labels like “use by,” “sell by,” and “best by.” The FDA believes that this confusion represents 20% of the average household’s food waste, meaning that you can prevent food waste and make your groceries go further every week by learning a little bit about food labeling. Is it okay to eat expired, canned food? Let’s find out\! ## **Are food product date labels required by law?** Outside of infant formula and some baby foods, federal regulations do not require producers to apply date labels to any food products. ## **What does a food product’s date label refer to?** Food product date labels represent a manufacturer’s recommendation of when a product can be expected to provide its peak quality and flavor — not necessarily when the product is safe to eat. According to the USDA, “Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law.” ## **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. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase. The natural chemicals in these foods react with the cans themselves, and over several years this can cause texture and taste changes, eventually resulting in food that is less nourishing. ## **What are some signs that canned food (expired or otherwise) might not be safe?** Cans with deep dents (deeper than 1/2 inch) may no longer be fully sealed, and therefore should be deemed unsafe. Cans with swelling should also be discarded, as should cans that display significant amounts of rust. Discard any canned food that gives off a foul odor or contains unexpectedly milky liquids, and don’t consume any food from a can that sprays liquid when you open it. ## **Can temperature affect the safety of canned food?** Yes, prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100ºF can significantly increase the risk of spoilage of canned foods, causing them to expire quicker. Canned foods stored directly next to open heat sources such as stoves, furnaces, or heaters should be treated with caution. ## **Where can I research whether food in my pantry is safe to eat?** The [FoodKeeper app](https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app) is an excellent resource that makes it easy to browse and search for safe storage timelines for a huge variety of foods. Created jointly by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, the FoodKeeper app is rigorously factual, and trusted by Food Bank of the Rockies to help determine whether donated foods will be acceptable for nourishing our neighbors experiencing hunger. [View Food Bank of the Rockies’ Food Safety Guide for more guidelines](https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/04191929/Food-Safety-Guide.pdf)

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