Smart Pantry · Guides
Is tinned food OK after the best before date?
Past the date, dented, bulging or half-used: a plain UK guide to the tins at the back of your cupboard.
The short answer
Past its best before date? Usually fine. The date is about quality, not safety.
A small dent? Fine, as long as the can isn't otherwise damaged.
Bulging, rusty, deeply dented, or spurts when opened? Don't eat it.
Leftovers? Never keep them in the open tin. Tip them into a container and put it in the fridge.
Is tinned food OK after the best before date?
Usually, yes. Tins like baked beans and chopped tomatoes carry a best before date, not a use-by date, so after the date the food is usually still safe. It just may not be at its best.
How long a tin stays good after its date depends on what's in it, how it's been stored and the brand, because different makers process the same food in different ways. So there's no single rule. Check the label for the manufacturer's storage advice, and check the can itself before you open it.
Is food from a dented can safe?
It depends on the dent.
- Shallow dent, can otherwise fine: the food should be safe to eat.
- Deep dent: don't eat it. A deep dent can hide a split, a hole or a broken seal, which means the can may no longer be keeping the food safe.
- Rust where it's dented: don't eat it.
What about a bulging can?
Don't eat food from a can that's visibly bulging. The same goes for a can that spurts when you open it. Both can be a sign of gas building up from microorganisms growing in the food, which can spoil it and make it unsafe.
If you've just bought a bulging can, take it back to the shop.
Can you keep leftovers in an opened tin?
No. Once a tin has been opened and the food is exposed to air, tin from the can can pass into the food more quickly. If you're not using it all straight away, tip the rest into a bowl or a container and put it in the fridge.
The exception is food sold in tins with resealable lids, like cocoa or golden syrup, which don't react with the tin.
Can you eat tinned food cold?
Many tinned foods that are meant to be heated won't be a safety risk if you eat them cold, but it depends on the product. Follow the instructions on the tin.
Why tins get forgotten
Tins last so long that they drift to the back of the cupboard and get bought again and again. Before you know it, there are three tins of chickpeas and one of them is years old. Knowing what you've already got is what stops the duplicates.
Smart Pantry shows you what's already in the cupboard
Snap your supermarket receipt and your tins go in with the rest of the shop, so you can check what you've got before you buy more. Your kitchen is sorted by what needs using first, and one reminder at 8am tells you when something is close.
Get Smart Pantry on the App Store. Free to try, no account needed. iPhone and iPad.
More guides: Best before vs use-by · Is milk OK after the date? · Can you eat brown bananas? · How long do potatoes last? · How long does bread last? · How long does cooked rice last? · Eggs after the best before date
Sources: Food Standards Agency, Home food fact checker (Tinned or canned food section); GOV.UK, Understanding food labelling. If you're unsure whether food is safe, don't eat it.