# Canned foods expiration date? AKA Am I gonna die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 23, 2002, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456 "2002-12-23T00:14:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/1 "2002-12-23T00:14:17Z")
I just had a bowl of soup for dinner and as I was finishing up, I noticed that the can had an expiration date of Jan 2002. Um… It tasted and smelled fine, there were no bulgy sides to the can, leaks, etc. It didn’t squirt out when I opened it. I assume I won’t get botchulism. However…how good beyond the expiration date is a can, assuming it looks ok? Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/2 "2002-12-23T00:36:32Z")
From [http://www.safefood.org/faq.html](http://www.safefood.org/faq.html) > [@](#): > > Q: How can I tell if a canned food product has expired? > A: Some, but not all canned food products contain “best-if-used-by” dates. Unless a canned product is leaking or swollen (bulging), storing for several years will not affect the safety of the product. How do you feel? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/3 "2002-12-23T00:54:52Z")
Worried, but otherwise fine! 😛 Like I said, no leaking or bulging of the can: I saw a Public Service Film about the terrors of Botchulism\* when I was like in the second or third grade and have been somewhat phobic about it ever since: if there’s any doubt I usually just toss the can. That’s what I get for not paying attention! Fenris \*I fear it but I cannot spell it. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/4 "2002-12-23T01:03:33Z")
[It happened to me, too.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=148637) For the record, he ate it and didn’t die. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/5 "2002-12-23T04:40:00Z")
I spent some time sorting cans at the Capital Area Food Bank a few weeks ago. Their rule was, if it has an expiration date of up to a year ago, it’s good (barring bulgy sides and things that transcend expiration date). And that was probably pretty cautios. You’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-foods-expiration-date-aka-am-i-gonna-die/144456/6 "2002-12-23T07:47:28Z")
Botulism. You’re welcome.