How Long Does Canned Tuna Last In The Fridge? There are several reasons why most people choose to keep canned foods in their pantries or refrigerators. For starters, canned meals might be useful when you’re trapped at home and don’t feel like going out to get groceries. Or perhaps you have a meal plan that you must adhere to, in which case you just need to stock up on canned goods.
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In any case, you have your reasons for favoring canned goods and stockpiling up on them. Tuna is one of the most popular canned foods, and it’s high in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Furthermore, tuna is less costly and lasts longer than other starchy meals, making it a common ingredient in many kitchens.
While the expiry dates for canned foods are printed on the wrappers, you cannot rely on the dates alone to determine their safety. In addition, various variables might affect the shelf life of your tuna.
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So, how can you tell whether your tuna is still safe to eat? Fortunately, there are several methods for determining whether or not your tuna has gone rotten. Check the expiration dates, but also notice if the can is leaking, whether your tuna has decolorized, sniff for unpleasant aromas, and taste it (which should be your last option).
How Long Will Canned Tuna Keep?
Canned tuna may be stored for a long time after the expiration date on the label as long as the can is intact. However, once opened, it should endure three to five days. Remember to keep your unopened canned tuna in a cold, dry area, as these conditions will keep it safe to eat.
Most people want to know if their tuna is still safe to eat even after the “Use By” date has passed. The major function of the “Use By” date is to indicate the time period during which the packaged food will be at its best. When the “Use By” date has passed, the canned food’s quality begins to decline.
As a result, your canned tuna is still edible after the “Use By” date has passed. Even so, it’s best to consume the tuna first to eliminate any unanticipated dangers of food illness.
How Long Does Canned Tuna Last In The Fridge
Tuna is sold in cans and pouches, however both methods employ the same processing procedure. The fundamental distinction between canned and pouch tuna is that the latter contains less moisture. When properly maintained, both canned and pouch tuna have nearly the same shelf life.
How Do I Keep Canned Tuna?
Keep unopened canned tuna at room temperature (less than 20°C) and away from heat sources. Canned foods don’t require much storage; simply keep them in a pantry or kitchen cabinet. Because canned goods are safe while still in their cans, you won’t need a refrigerator or anything else.
However, keeping canned goods at temperatures exceeding 90°F (32°C) or freezing them is not a smart idea. Both have the potential to endanger the seals ([FSI]), resulting in your food spoiling sooner than intended.
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To prevent germs and other diseases from contaminating your food, clean the cans before opening them. This is especially important if you plan to keep your tuna for a few days.
Keep your tuna can in the refrigerator once you’ve opened it. Most experts advocate putting your tuna in a plastic bag or container and storing it in the fridge for one to two days.
How Can I Tell If Tuna Is Bad?
Examine the Dates
Canned goods, in most situations, can be enjoyed after the “best-by date.” This deadline is simply intended to ensure that quality is maintained over time. However, after a period, the general quality of your tuna will decline dramatically.
Eating tuna after the expiration date is safe, but you should be cautious. As a result, it’s a good idea to note the date you bought your tuna as a handy reminder of how long it’s been on your cupboard shelves and how soon you should devour it while it’s still at its best.
Examine the Can to see whether it is leaking.
It is uncommon for cans to leak, although it does occur on occasion. If the can is leaking in any manner, do not consume the tuna.
A leakage might indicate that anything went wrong during the preservation procedure and that the can no longer protects your food. Do not eat canned tuna if the can is leaking, regardless of the date stamp or other factors.
Canning food is often pressure sealed, making it perfect for long-term preservation. If anything leaks, the contents of the can cannot be presumed to be sufficiently protected since microorganisms in the external environment can have access to the content.
Examine the Smell
When you open the can’s seals, canned food doesn’t always smell the best. This is due to the fact that the contents of that container have been sealed with oil or water to keep it fresh for an extended length of time.
Tuna, on the other hand, is a sort of fish, thus it has a fishy odor. If you’ve ever eaten canned tuna, you’re probably familiar with the odor it emits when you open the can.
Getting a good smell of your tuna is a great method to tell if it’s good or bad. When tuna turns rotten, it has an unpleasant odor that may be somewhat acidic. This stench is intense, and you’ll notice it as soon as you open the can seal.
If the stink is caustic, turn it off and wash your hands to ensure you haven’t picked up any of the rotting dirt.
Determine if it is green, black, or brown.
Aside from the stink, terrible taste, and expiry dates, decolorization is a frequent sign that food has gone bad. Tuna that has gone rotten typically has dark brown spots, some of which may seem black. Furthermore, your tuna may become green and hence become unsafe to consume.
Did the can just blow up?
When opening a can of food for the first time, be cautious. For example, while opening a can of food, look attentively to see whether the can explodes—if it does, there may be something wrong with the canned food within.
If your can bursts while you’re opening it, you’ll either hear an explosive sound or your food will stream out quickly—either way, you should throw away your tuna. Something went awry during the canning process, as evidenced by the explosion.
Corrosion in a Can
When it comes to rust or corrosion on the can, it’s best to be safe than sorry. Corrosion can cause microscopic holes on the surface of your can, which are always tiny and hence difficult to spot.
Eating tuna from a corroded can can cause significant health consequences such as lung damage, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes, elevated heart rate or blood pressure, and so on. Don’t take any chances if your canned tuna can displays any signs of deterioration.
Examine the Can to see whether it is damaged.
Don’t get me wrong: eating food from a damaged can isn’t inherently dangerous. Typically, supermarket stores lower the pricing of damaged canned goods in order to sell them quickly.
A dent in the can, especially towards the top, may indicate that the can’s internal pressure has been released without your awareness. Bacteria frequently colonize the food item in this condition, resulting in salmonella and other harmful microorganisms. As a result, if you see a dent in the can’s lid, toast out your tuna.
Give it a Try
If all other procedures fail, tasting to check if your tuna has gone bad or not should be your final resort. If you take a mouthful and the tuna doesn’t taste good, as usual, toasting it out will help. Spoiled canned goods are toxic, and it’s critical to throw them away if your senses warn you they’re not safe to eat.
Related Issues
- How Long Does Unopened Canned Tuna Last?
Canned tuna has a shelf life of three to five years. Unopened canned tuna may be stored correctly for up to five years. However, after the seal has been broken, place it in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator for no more than two days before eating.
- Can I eat canned tuna after it has passed its expiration date?
Yes, you may eat canned tuna after it has passed its expiration date. However, you must ensure that it remains unopened and that it is stored in the right conditions—room temperature and away from heat sources. The ‘best by’ date merely assures that the tuna’s quality is still intact; after that, the rates, such as flavor and color, begin to decline, but it is still edible.
- Why Is Canned Tuna So Long Lasting?
Canned goods, in general, have a lengthy shelf life since they are properly treated to endure a long time in our grocery shops. Tuna is available in cans or pouches; in any case, the preservation procedure is comparable and lasts a long time.
