How Long Does Unopened Cream of Chicken Soup Last?

CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR PACKAGED, SOLD UNREFRIGERATED — UNOPENED

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3-5 years (best quality)

 

Shelf Life Tips

  • How long does an unopened can of cream of chicken soup last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize shelf life, store in a cool, dry area.
  • How long does an unopened can of cream of chicken soup last at room temperature? Properly stored, an unopened can of cream of chicken soup will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 5 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that.
  • Is unopened cream of chicken soup safe to use after the "expiration" date on the can or package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the can is undamaged - commercially packaged cream of chicken soup will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the cream of chicken soup will remain at peak quality.
  • Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the cream of chicken soup's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the can is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
  • How can you tell if cream of chicken soup is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the cream of chicken soup: if the cream of chicken soup develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
  • Discard all cream of chicken soup from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.

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