Most People Get This Wrong and Toss Out the Can: The Right Way to Read ‘Best By’ or ‘Best Before’ Dates

We’ve all done it — opened the pantry, checked the date on a can of soup or beans, saw it was “past the date,” and tossed it straight into the trash.

But what if I told you that you’re probably wasting perfectly good food?

Most people misunderstand what “Best By” and “Best Before” dates actually mean.

Here’s what you really need to know — and how to safely tell if your canned goods are still good to eat.

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🕒 First Things First: What Do Those Dates Actually Mean?

The terms “Best By” and “Best Before” are not expiration dates. In most cases, they are manufacturer suggestions for peak quality, not safety.

Let’s break it down:

✅ Best By / Best Before

• Meaning: The product is at its best flavor, texture, or quality by this date.

• Food Safety: It’s still safe to eat after this date — if stored properly and the can is in good condition.

❌ Expired? Not necessarily.

Canned foods are often safe to eat months or even years past the Best By date, as long as the can hasn’t been damaged.

🚨 In the U.S., the USDA confirms:
“Canned goods are safe indefinitely as long as they are not exposed to freezing temperatures, or temperatures above 90 °F, and the cans are not rusted, dented, or swollen.”
— USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

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🔍 How to Tell if a Can Is Still Good

Before tossing out an old can, check these 5 things:

1. Is the can dented or swollen?

• Small dents are fine.

• But if the can is bulging, leaking, or puffed up, toss it immediately. That’s a red flag for bacteria like botulism.

2. Is there rust?

• Surface rust might not be a problem.

• But deep rust or rust near the seal could mean the can is compromised.

3. Does it smell off after opening?

• If it smells sour, rotten, or metallic — don’t risk it.

4. Is the food discolored or foaming?

• If the contents look strange, bubbly, or moldy — toss it.

5. Check for weird texture or separation.

• Some separation is normal (especially in soups), but if it looks slimy or drastically different, be cautious.

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🥫 Shelf Life of Common Canned Goods (Even After Best By Date)

Food	Safe After Best By (approx.)
Canned vegetables	1–2 years or more
Canned beans	2–3 years
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, SPAM)	2–5 years
Canned soups	1–3 years
Tomato-based products	12–18 months (acid can wear down can lining faster)

✅ Pro Tip: Store cans in a cool, dark place to extend their quality and safety.

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♻️ Final Thoughts: Don’t Waste Good Food

Millions of pounds of perfectly edible food are wasted every year due to confusion around date labels. Understanding the difference between “Best By” and a true expiration date can help you:

• Save money

• Reduce food waste

• Stay safe while making smart food choices

So next time you see an old can in the back of your pantry, don’t toss it right away. Check the can, trust your senses, and know the facts.

You might just find that your so-called “expired” food is still perfectly good — and delicious.