Shelf Life Tips
- How long does unopened canned pumpkin last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize shelf life, store in a cool, dry area.
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How long does unopened canned pumpkin last at room temperature? Properly stored, unopened canned pumpkin will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 5 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that.
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Is unopened canned pumpkin 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 canned pumpkin 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 canned pumpkin will remain at peak quality.
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Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the canned pumpkin'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).
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How can you tell if canned pumpkin is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the canned pumpkin: if the canned pumpkin develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all canned pumpkin from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
