Shelf Life Tips
- How long do unopened canned sweet potatoes last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of canned sweet potatoes, store in a cool, dry area.
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How long does an unopened can of sweet potatoes last at room temperature? Properly stored, an unopened can of sweet potatoes 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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Are unopened canned sweet potatoes safe to use after the "expiration" date on the can or package? Yes, provided they are properly stored and the can is undamaged - commercially packaged canned sweet potatoes 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 sweet potatoes will remain at peak quality.
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Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the canned sweet potatoes' texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, they will still be safe to consume if they have 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 sweet potatoes are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the canned sweet potatoes: if the canned sweet potatoes develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded.
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Discard all canned sweet potatoes 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
