# Canned salmon from with best by date in 2008 - safe? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 31, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335 "2017-10-31T22:13:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/21 "2017-11-01T12:37:03Z")
I would eat it. I’ve seen YouTube videos where cans from military MREs far older than the salmon are opened and eaten. They were crappy, but they were crappy when they were fresh. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/22 "2017-11-01T13:24:21Z")
Canned salmon is one of the foods my ex packed up for me when she threw me out in 1990, I was about 2010 before I finished all of it. I didn’t notice anything funny about it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/23 "2017-11-01T14:28:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I would eat it. I could mail it to you… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/24 "2017-11-01T14:55:35Z")
As my health inspector husband always says…when in doubt throw it out. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/25 "2017-11-01T15:11:29Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > I feel like there should have been a Monty Python reference by now. You dopers are slacking. _sad_ [Here you go](https://youtu.be/jMBsZC-FJNE). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/26 "2017-11-01T15:16:02Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I could mail it to you… 😉 If we were neighbors, I’d take it. A woman I work with is paranoid about food. She throws away bottled salad dressing when the best by date is approaching. I gladly take the food and eat it in front of her, driving her batty. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/27 "2017-11-01T15:24:03Z")
I hate to say it but I would send it off to the landfill for future generations of archeologists and/or alien to marvel over. The value it too low to take a chance on something that old and with my nose all canned fish smells bad so a sniff test isn’t cutting it for me. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/28 "2017-11-01T16:05:46Z")
Actually, I’d be tempted to use it as bait in a raccoon trap, except that our raccoon problem seems to be solved now and I don’t have to kill the pesky little bandit-masked varmints anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/29 "2017-11-02T14:46:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A woman I work with is paranoid about food. She throws away bottled salad dressing when the best by date is approaching. I gladly take the food and eat it in front of her, driving her batty. Do we work in the same office? Do you also have the “EVERY FOOD ITEM I OWN MUST BE REFRIGERATED” lady? Cookies and crackers in the fridge. Smart. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/30 "2017-11-02T17:22:14Z")
Not that I’m assuming anything about the lady in the above post, but people who grow up in less than wonderful conditions can acquire the habit of putting everything in the refrigerator whether or not it requires refrigeration because it’s actually a pretty effective way to keep vermin like mice and roaches out of the food. This habit may well extend into adulthood, but the reasons for it not discussed due to prejudice against those who have or are poor. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/31 "2017-11-02T21:52:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve seen YouTube videos where cans from military MREs far older than the salmon are opened and eaten. They were crappy, but they were crappy when they were fresh. Could this have gone into the can as salmon, and come out crappie? ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/32 "2017-11-03T18:56:25Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > As long as the can is intact, it should still be good though quality may have suffered. > > Dress as a witch so it will be salmon enchanted evening. That one caused me actual physical pain. ---
**Author:** ![Mrdeals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/33 "2017-11-05T03:14:05Z")
Another thing to consider is the best by date on canned meat is typically 3 years from time of Manufacture, so that fish has been in that can for 11 years or more! Is it safe? Probably Should you eat it? Probably not ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/34 "2017-11-05T08:40:01Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I would eat it. > > I’ve seen YouTube videos where cans from military MREs far older than the salmon are opened and eaten. They were crappy, but they were crappy when they were fresh. I know there are other daring gustatorians but, [_Steve1989MREInfo_](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA) will apparently eat, almost, anything put on a mess tray . . . Nice! (\< Steve’s reaction word to anything put on a mess tray.) . . . and then enjoy a ration cigarette that was stale 20 years before he was born! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/35 "2017-11-06T16:48:55Z")
“Best if used by” dates always remind me of [this.](https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/4b441b8b-ec18-4cf1-b373-a8bf19f15646) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/36 "2017-11-06T17:46:52Z")
As it happens, the can was used as raccoon bait. Unfortunately, while that part of the operation was successful and the trap sprung, the raccoon was not in fact caught and is still at large. I’ll have to see if I have any more expired food for bait. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/37 "2017-11-06T18:11:04Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As it happens, the can was used as raccoon bait. Although fish is an excellent raccoon bait, it also attracts cats and opossums. My favorite raccoon bait that seems to attract _only_ raccoons is marshmallows. /trapper secrets ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/38 "2017-11-06T19:25:57Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Normally I’d say yes, but nine years? > > We’re talking what, 2 or 3 bucks worth of salmon? > > I wouldn’t eat it, and I eat a lot of stuff past the expirey date. In a cabin snowed in, with nothing else, I would eat that in a heartbeat. With shelves full of current food, I would toss and buy another. The chance it is unsafe is very low, but whay take the chance? Last year’s date- sure, no problem. Of course make sure any can is intect, no rust, no bulging. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/39 "2017-11-06T19:28:03Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As it happens, the can was used as raccoon bait. > > Unfortunately, while that part of the operation was successful and the trap sprung, the raccoon was not in fact caught and is still at large. > > I’ll have to see if I have any more expired food for bait. Why are you trapping a raccoon? You may not know if trapped and moved, they almost always die. And not in a nice way, either. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335/40 "2017-11-06T21:42:48Z")
I came home from work Saturday (I work second shift and get home late) and found the little masked bandit raiding my kitchen pantry. As in, he was physically in my kitchen eating my food. About 2 pounds of chocolate, a box of Rice Krispies, and a couple boxes of pasta, to be specific. Thank Og he did not go after my parrots. Guess he’s too lazy to deal with live food, boxes are so much easier. Presumably, he’s spending the day sleeping in a crawl space as I’ve only seen/heard him at night but he’s discovered a warm, dry place with food and I doubt he’ll leave voluntarily. I am hoping to live capture the little bastard but if that fails yes, I will kill him because I can’t have a wild animal loose in my living space. It is dangerous for all parties involved. Live trapped he has a _chance_ of survival, if I shoot him he’s just dead. Plus, I have even more mess to clean up. Frankly, if the wildlife guy who is slated to pick him up decides to euthanize him I don’t care - we have plenty of raccoons in this area, they are in no way endangered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-salmon-from-with-best-by-date-in-2008-safe/800335.md?page=3)