Shelf Life Tips
- How long does unopened lemon pie filling last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of lemon pie filling, store in a cool, dry area.
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How long does unopened lemon pie filling last at room temperature? Properly stored, unopened lemon pie filling will generally stay at best quality for about 3 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that.
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Is unopened lemon pie filling safe to use after the "expiration" date on the can or package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the package is undamaged - commercially packaged lemon pie filling 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 lemon pie filling will remain at peak quality.
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Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the lemon pie filling'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 package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if lemon pie filling is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the lemon pie filling: if the lemon pie filling develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all lemon pie filling 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
