Do baked beans have some sort of expiry date?

kumquat · 23rd May 2002, 8:22 PM

I have 2 cans of baked beans in the cupboard i'm guesstimating anywhere between 6 and 12 months old, they don't have any expiry date. Are they still safe to eat??

Boink · 23rd May 2002, 8:46 PM

yep ive eaten beans that were 2 years past there date i didn't

die (or get sick) tasted the same to.

PostModern · 23rd May 2002, 9:09 PM

If it smells "funny" when you open it or tastes slightly metalic, discard. If they smell/taste normal, they'll be fine*. I wouldn't necessarily eat them cold tho. Generally they last for years.

Things could only go wrong if there is a minute leak in one of the seals (highly unlikely), if the contents react with the inside of the can (hardly likely in the last 20 years) or if there was some microbe canned with the beans (unlikely as they are sealed with the contents hot).

* This is my opinion and it may not necessarily be right. If decide to eat the beans, do so at your own risk

jobaby · 24th May 2002, 1:41 PM

As long as the can shows no signs of damage (dints, swelling etc.), the contents are usually OK for a couple of years.

As PostModern said, check the smell, and taste the sauce before eating.

Badger · 24th May 2002, 3:36 PM

I remember reading about antarctic explorers (a few years ago) eating tinned bully beef which had left by previous guys around the turn of the century. ie over 70 years old and still fine to eat. as long as the cans aren't damaged they will be fine for decades.

Epoch · 24th May 2002, 5:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Badger
I remember reading about antarctic explorers (a few years ago) eating tinned bully beef which had left by previous guys around the turn of the century. ie over 70 years old and still fine to eat.

I wonder... could that be because the cans were really, really cold? I mean, being in antarctica and all.

Kazashi · 25th May 2002, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Epoch

I wonder... could that be because the cans were really, really cold? I mean, being in antarctica and all.

Which begs the question, what if the food was not canned? Would it still have lasted as long as it did, whilst remaining in a consumable state?

w00tsTyLeZ · 27th May 2002, 11:28 PM

would hey of died either way so why not give it a go ?

Silent Remorse · 29th May 2002, 6:26 AM

Simular Q.

I have 2 bags of that foil sealed tuna. You know, the ones in that slim packet? Its been in the fridge for about 4 months and I really want to eat it - if its safe. I know its foil and its sealed but...I dunno. What do you guys think?

Imitation · 29th May 2002, 12:03 PM

I dunno about the tuna man.. I'd say it's prolly best not to eat it.

Thing is that a lot of the use by dates aren't when the stuff goes off but when the product starts to change... as in change colour/consistancy, etc. I'm not too keen on eating stuff that's out of date myself but do quite often though usually only by a few days. The longest we've had stuff out of date were dressings and sauces which were say 6 months out of date and I reckon they must be pretty much indestructable

We simply don't eat enough dressing/sauce to use up a bottle before the use by date.

Headless Turkey · 30th May 2002, 10:23 PM

Heheh, I poured this Vinigerette over my salad once, and Little did I know that it was way out of date, It had turned into SUPER VINIGER OF MOUTH DESTOYING PROPERTIES.... Not good on the old mouth.

I would'nt eat the tuna if the pack says it's out of date.

23rd May 2002, 8:22 PM	#1
kumquat Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Syd Posts: 947	Do baked beans have some sort of expiry date? I have 2 cans of baked beans in the cupboard i'm guesstimating anywhere between 6 and 12 months old, they don't have any expiry date. Are they still safe to eat??

24th May 2002, 3:36 PM	#5
Badger Caveat lector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Adelaide, SA Posts: 8,862	I remember reading about antarctic explorers (a few years ago) eating tinned bully beef which had left by previous guys around the turn of the century. ie over 70 years old and still fine to eat. as long as the cans aren't damaged they will be fine for decades. __________________ Facta sunt potentiora verbis Actions are more powerful than words Fas est et ab hoste doceri It is proper to learn even from an enemy Ex gladio veritas From the sword, comes truth

27th May 2002, 11:28 PM	#8
w00tsTyLeZ Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 497	would hey of died either way so why not give it a go ? __________________ ...sTyLeZ...

29th May 2002, 6:26 AM	#9
Silent Remorse GAMING OVERLORD Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,900	Simular Q. I have 2 bags of that foil sealed tuna. You know, the ones in that slim packet? Its been in the fridge for about 4 months and I really want to eat it - if its safe. I know its foil and its sealed but...I dunno. What do you guys think? __________________ Admin for PC Games, MMORPGs, Lifestyle and Pets/Animals. PM me with any problems. \| Over 32 successful trades since 2000!

23rd May 2002, 8:46 PM	#2
Boink Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Collingwood, Vic Posts: 57	yep ive eaten beans that were 2 years past there date i didn't die (or get sick) tasted the same to.

23rd May 2002, 9:09 PM	#3
PostModern Angry Brewer Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Woonona, Illawarra, NSW Posts: 5,084	If it smells "funny" when you open it or tastes slightly metalic, discard. If they smell/taste normal, they'll be fine. I wouldn't necessarily eat them cold tho. Generally they last for years. Things could only go wrong if there is a minute leak in one of the seals (highly unlikely), if the contents react with the inside of the can (hardly likely in the last 20 years) or if there was some microbe canned with the beans (unlikely as they are sealed with the contents hot). This is my opinion and it may not necessarily be right. If decide to eat the beans, do so at your own risk

24th May 2002, 1:41 PM	#4
jobaby Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Carlisle Posts: 478	As long as the can shows no signs of damage (dints, swelling etc.), the contents are usually OK for a couple of years. As PostModern said, check the smell, and taste the sauce before eating.

29th May 2002, 12:03 PM	#10
Imitation Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 2,838	I dunno about the tuna man.. I'd say it's prolly best not to eat it. Thing is that a lot of the use by dates aren't when the stuff goes off but when the product starts to change... as in change colour/consistancy, etc. I'm not too keen on eating stuff that's out of date myself but do quite often though usually only by a few days. The longest we've had stuff out of date were dressings and sauces which were say 6 months out of date and I reckon they must be pretty much indestructable We simply don't eat enough dressing/sauce to use up a bottle before the use by date.

30th May 2002, 10:23 PM	#11
Headless Turkey Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Your Mums bed! Posts: 636	Heheh, I poured this Vinigerette over my salad once, and Little did I know that it was way out of date, It had turned into SUPER VINIGER OF MOUTH DESTOYING PROPERTIES.... Not good on the old mouth. I would'nt eat the tuna if the pack says it's out of date.