In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleDoes Canned Tuna Expire?Can You Eat Expired Tuna?Potential RisksHow to Tell If Its Gone BadStorage Tips
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Does Canned Tuna Expire?
Can You Eat Expired Tuna?
Potential Risks
How to Tell If Its Gone Bad
Storage Tips
Close
It’s no secret that eating expired food can be a gamble for your health. When it comes tocanned tuna—the second most popular fish in the U.S.—you might wonder if it’s safe to consume past its expiration date.To satisfy your curiosity, EatingWell spoke with a registered dietitian to help us explore the safety of eating expired canned tuna, the potential risks involved and how to identify if your canned tuna has gone bad. Additionally, we’ll provide tips on properly storing canned tuna to ensure its freshness and safety for as long as possible.
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Yes. (Whew, if you’re already midway through your tuna sandwich.)
Canned foodstypically have a long shelf life, often lasting several years past the printed date if they’re stored in a cool, dark environment and the can remains sealed. The can’s expiration date usually indicates the point at which the manufacturer can guarantee the best quality, not necessarily when the food becomes unsafe.
In addition, canned is one of the best ways to consume tuna in the first place, saysAngel Luk, RD, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Food Mysteries. “Canned tuna is safe to consume because most canned tuna is made from smaller, younger fish that is low in mercury. Fresh and frozen tuna often have higher levels of mercury because they are bigger and more mature and have more time in the ocean to accumulate mercury into their muscles,” she explains.
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How to Tell If Your Canned Tuna Has Gone Bad
First, inspect the can for dents, rust or bulges. If the can appears compromised, don’t eat the tuna. After opening,give the tuna a good sniff. If you notice any off or sour odors, it’s a sign that the tuna has spoiled. Also, if the tuna is slimy, has an unusual consistency or has any discoloration or mold, don’t consume it.
And just because a can of tuna is on a store shelf, don’t assume that it’s OK to eat. “The advice for buying canned tuna is the same for purchasing all canned products: Do not buy cans that are dented, leaking, cracked or have bulging lids,” Luk advises. “These are all signs that harmful bacteria may have entered the product, making it unsafe to consume as it’s very likely to cause illness.”
How to Store Canned Tuna
Unopened cans of tuna should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. These storage conditions can help extend the can’s shelf life. Once opened, canned tuna should be transferred to an airtight container, stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days.
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The Bottom Line
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Fisheries Institute.Tuna Facts.Alaska Gold Seafood.Why is there no expiration date on my canned salmon and canned tuna?U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Shelf-Stable Food Safety.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Food Product Dating.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Foodborne Illness and Disease.U.S. Department of Agriculture.After you open a can, how long can you keep the food in the refrigerator?United States Environmental Protection Agency.Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.Colorado State University: Food Source Information.Canned Tuna - Key Facts.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Fisheries Institute.Tuna Facts.Alaska Gold Seafood.Why is there no expiration date on my canned salmon and canned tuna?U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Shelf-Stable Food Safety.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Food Product Dating.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Foodborne Illness and Disease.U.S. Department of Agriculture.After you open a can, how long can you keep the food in the refrigerator?United States Environmental Protection Agency.Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.Colorado State University: Food Source Information.Canned Tuna - Key Facts.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
National Fisheries Institute.Tuna Facts.Alaska Gold Seafood.Why is there no expiration date on my canned salmon and canned tuna?U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Shelf-Stable Food Safety.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Food Product Dating.U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Foodborne Illness and Disease.U.S. Department of Agriculture.After you open a can, how long can you keep the food in the refrigerator?United States Environmental Protection Agency.Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.Colorado State University: Food Source Information.Canned Tuna - Key Facts.
National Fisheries Institute.Tuna Facts.
Alaska Gold Seafood.Why is there no expiration date on my canned salmon and canned tuna?
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Shelf-Stable Food Safety.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Food Product Dating.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service.Foodborne Illness and Disease.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.After you open a can, how long can you keep the food in the refrigerator?
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury.
Colorado State University: Food Source Information.Canned Tuna - Key Facts.
