We asked food safety experts to chime in.
Scrounging up some kind of meal using canned beans and rice could workespecially if you want aprotein-packed dinner.
They arent safe to eat, right?
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Heres the truth: Youre probably totally fine.
With a few exceptions, of course.
Do Canned Beans Expire?
When it comes to canned beans, the date listed on a can indicates its peak quality.
Its typically not the date the food expires and goes bad.
It refers to how long an unopened food product will remain at peak quality and freshness, he explains.
So what does quality mean?
Can You Use Expired Canned Beans?
This process sterilizes the contents of the can, he says.
Potential Risks
There are potential issues with foodborne illness in some instances.
Plus, expired beans may not taste amazing.
Heres more about the two potential risks.
How to Store Your Canned Beans
Keep them in a pantry or on a shelf.
Open it up and give it a thorough scan.
Any beans that show mold or discolorationor that smell offshould be discarded.
After that, though, Taylor recommends tossing it for the sake of food safety.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Before You Toss Food, Wait.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
