Cleaning out the cupboards can lead to all kinds of discoveries we likely forgot about. However, what if you found some canned goods buried in the back that have passed their sell-by date, are they safe?
You can eat soup after the expiration date has passed. The dates listed on canned goods are not the definitive date of spoilage or waste but are actually a best-by date. Soups which has passed this date are likely to taste weak, mushy, or otherwise less ideal. However, it is safe as long as the soup has not spoiled.
If you worry about whether eating your expired soup will get you sick, then you have come to the right place. This article will help you find out when to keep your canned soup and when to toss it out.
How Long Is Canned Soup Good For After the Expiration Date?
Canned soup is usually good for about 2-3 years after the expiration or use-by date. Less acidic canned goods, such as soups and pasta can potentially last up to 5 years after the expiration date.
However, this is only true for undamaged cans, securely sealed cans, and ones that are stored in cool, dark areas.
Canned goods do not have a specific expiration date. They are processed to last a long time, through a high-temperature heating system.
Traditional canning for more acidic and sweet foods is sealed through a water-based canning process. Traditional canning and pressure canning are distinctive processes that impact the shelf life of the product.
The reason acidic foods typically have a shorter shelf life than less acidic foods is because of these processes. In short, the main distinctions between regular or traditional canning and pressure canning are:
- Length of the canning process
- Pressure under which the jars seal
- Amount of added preservatives (usually natural such as sugar or vinegar)
Pressure canning requires a large, semi-sealed canning pot with a lid that seals shut. This is known as the pressure canning pot.
It is filled about halfway with water, screwed shut on the sides so it seals shut, and heated to a very high temperature. The canning jars inside seal shut in a high-pressure environment.
Traditional canning consists of a large pot known simply as a canning pot. The pot is filled halfway with water and heated on the stove.
The canning jars boil in this water for a while until they seal shut. Both methods create a vacuum seal, but pressurized canning creates a stronger, longer-lasting seal on your food.
Will Canned Soup Go Bad?
Canned goods, such as canned soup, do not go bad on a specific date. This is due to the airtight nature of the canning process. However, they can go bad. Typically it is not age that causes canned soup to go bad. Rather, canned soups usually go bad due to damage to the can or other mistakes during the canning process.
Canned soup is most likely to go bad if it is improperly sealed. For anyone doing their own home canning, this would mean the silver rim never pulled inwards.
If you can press your finger on the life of the jar and hear a popping sound, then the jar has never been sealed. Or, the seal has broken.
If you notice the jar is unsealed shortly after removing it from the canning pot then it’s fine to keep it in the fridge. However, it should not be considered shelf-stable and should be refrigerated right away.
For store-bought canned goods, the seal is more stable and secure since it is done in a factory. This secure seal lasts longer than most home-canned jars and thus tends to secure the food for a longer period of time.
How Can You Tell If Canned Soup Has Gone Bad?
Canned soup will usually have a broken seal, which can be difficult to spot on a metal can. However, there’s much more to this than just damaged cans, including:
- Cracks in the can
- Bent sides of the can
- Bulging sides of the can
- Foam in the can
- Fizz or bubbles when you open the can
- If the can spits on you when you open it
All of these occurrences are a sign of damage that could potentially harm the food.
Cracks, dents, and bulges in the can are all emblematic of spoilage. Spoilage occurs when oxidation impacts the food in the can due to damage in the can or an improper seal when heating the canner. If you notice any cracks or holes in a can of soup, you should never eat it.
Another concern regarding damaged cans of soup is cross-contamination. When the can is sealed, there is little chance of bacteria developing unless improper food handling or sanitation processes were followed.
However, cracks or other weaknesses in the seal of the can could allow contamination to enter the soup and infect the whole thing.
If you open a can of soup and notice it has bubbles or appears slimy, but is properly sealed, it could mean bacteria entered the can during the canning process.
You still should not eat this, since it could contain dangerous bacteria from food handlers, poorly washed food, or improperly sanitized jars.
What Can Happen If You Eat Bad Canned Soup?
Eating bad canned soup could lead to food poisoning and other digestive discomforts. Symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive disruptions. However, expired canned soup, which has passed the sell-by date is unlikely to give you any issues.
The sell-by date listed on canned goods is primarily focused on taste and quality. It is reflective of when the soup is believed to be at its optimal taste and texture, before starting to lose its potency. However, it is not a date of spoilage.
Unless the can of soup has been contaminated with bacteria the worst you are likely to experience from an expired can is less flavor.
However, botulism is a very dangerous bacteria found in canned foods. Food poisoning from botulism could result in death in 5-10% of cases, but even when it does not result in death it can be painful and disruptive.
How Should Canned Soup Be Stored?
Canned soup should be stored in a cool, dark area of a house. It is best to keep it out of the way to avoid the can falling and breaking or getting dented. This will help ensure the canned soup lasts for a long time without getting damaged or growing bacteria.
Cool, dark areas are the best place to keep your canned goods in order to avoid a drastic change in temperature. You should never store canned soup nearby water heaters, heating vents, or in the refrigerator. Any drastic temperature changes could cause the canned goods to spoil.
Make sure the storage place is clean and free of bugs or vermin. Rats, mice, and other small animals carry all kinds of diseases. If the cans are all sealed properly then you do not need to worry about any contamination.
However, if the animals manage to brush their bodies against the cans they could pass along harmful pathogens. If you handle the cans and fail to wash your hands you could pass it on to the soup or cooking surfaces.
Do You Need To Reheat Canned Soup To Eat?
You do not need to reheat canned soup in order to eat it. If you do not reheat your soup, however, you might be slightly disappointed in the taste and texture. For the best taste and quality, you should always reheat canned soup and serve it once it cools only slightly.
Unheated soup is safe to eat, but much of the taste and texture comes from it being warmed up. Chicken soup, beef soup, and other meat-based soups are unpleasant when they are cold due to the chunks of fats floating in the broth.
When meat-based soups are cold the fats tend to lump up at the top of the can. If you eat this soup cold you will need to contend with unpleasant lumps of fat in your mouth.
Additionally, the meat fat is an important part of the soup broth flavor. If you fail to warm up your soup the broth will also taste like watered-down vegetables.
Thick, creamy soups are also extremely unpleasant when consumed cold. When warmed up, the fat and cream which makes up the broth become more liquified and smooth. If you eat it cold, the texture is more like pudding and makes for a very unpleasant experience.
How Long Does Open Canned Soup Last?
Open canned soup can be kept in the fridge for up to five days without spoiling. The quality of the soup after five days may vary based on the variety of soup you are eating. Cream-based soups are best when consumed within three days, but are usually safe for up to five days.
Soup should be stored in the fridge. If you leave your soup out at room temperature for more than two hours you should throw it away.
Room temperatures (which is usually considered temperature at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above) are a breeding ground for bacteria. Soup left out will accumulate a lot of bacteria and could lead to food poisoning.
You can keep your soup in a sealed container or bowl with plastic wrap over the top. Airtight containers, such as Tupperware or similar glass containers are a good choice.
But, you can also keep it in the can opened. We recommend putting a bag over the top, though, to prevent bacteria from entering and contaminating the soup.