expiration dates on canned goods?

Question

My friend is in the process of moving and gave me some canned foods he no longer wants. I noticed that the expiration date on some of them are expired. Are they still safe to eat? I have always thought canned foods never went bad.

Answer 1

If the dates are over by a few days,or even weeks, you'll be fine. Canning just slows down the growth of bacteria in the food, and the expiration date is when the bacteria count could have grown high enough to be dangerous to people. I've eaten out of expired cans, and I only felt sick once (just a stomach ache). If its been expired for less then 6 months, you'll be fine, just take a look at the food and make sure it smells and looks okay before you eat it. If the cans are dented or damaged in any way, then throw them away.

Answer 2

depends on the canned food.,

for example, I wouldn't eat expired canned tuna fish .. ewwww

do like those above say, smell it. If you have ANY doubt or the can is dented or "puffed out" don't eat it.

Usually 2 monthsish is OK on an expiration for a canned item.

Answer 3

What kind of canned foods?

They should be safe to eat...

The food is generally packed and cooked in the cans which kill any of the pathogens in the food.

Just make sure you don't see rust on the outside of the can.
Cook the canned food thoroughly.

Answer 4

yes they do go bad. if they are expired dont eat them...