The comforting taste of Campbell’s soup has been warming the hearts and bellies of millions of people worldwide for over a hundred years, and it is still a popular choice in most American pantries.
But does this tasty comfort in a can actually expire or go bad?
Does Campbell’s Soup Expire?
No, Campbell’s soup doesn’t really expire or go bad. While it does have a “Best Used By” date and will lose nutritional quality and taste over time, it will not actually go bad if stored correctly. However if you don’t like the taste, don’t eat it.
How Long is the Expiry Date on Campbell’s Soup?
Campbell’s soup products have a best used by date of 2 years.
Campbell says:
‘Expiration dates must always be followed, so make sure to check the best before date and use by date on the end of the can before consumption.’
Canned foods can last an extraordinarily long time with some being found to still be ok after a hundred years – although I definitely wouldn’t be eating these out of choice!
As a general rule of thumb, most canned foods can be eaten and still taste good up to 2 years past their expiration or use by date.
Not all country’s food standards require a best before or expiry date to be printed on them if they have a shelf life of 2+ years. In the USA, for example, you will find a “best used by” date on your Campbell’s soup, but in Australia and New Zealand you won’t, although they do have a batch code printed on them so you could decipher when they were produced.
Will Campbell’s Soup Lose Taste When It Is Old?
Past approximately 6 years, your soup will start to noticeably degrade.
This means it will you will start to notice a difference in its taste and smell.
Although the soup is sealed within the cans and sealed under high pressure, the food inside will eventually lose its original flavor and smell. This won’t necessarily mean it has gone bad – just past its best and not as enjoyable as it should be.
How Can You Make Campbell’s Soup Last Longer?
It is essential that your cans are in good condition, without dents or rust, so check them carefully when purchasing.
You then need to store them correctly which means in a cool, dry, and dark place like a cupboard or pantry. They need to be kept in a place that never, or rarely, goes over 70°F.
Because Campbell’s soup is securely sealed in steel cans and then heated at high pressure, this means that all the goodness and flavor has been literally locked in. So as long as you ensure that your cans are stored correctly, they will last for many years to come.
How Would You Know If Campbell’s Soup Has Gone Bad?
If the can is leaking or looks like it is bulging then you should definitely throw it away.
Also, any other signs of rust or damage to the can are a warning that all is not good inside the can and it should be thrown.
This is because dented and rust-damaged cans can let in bacteria from the outside that would most definitely spoil the contents inside. So always thoroughly inspect your cans before opening.
Once you have established the can is in good condition then it’s time to open it up. If it makes a hissing sound or spurts any of the contents as you open it, you will need to throw it away as this means the contents have started to ferment or go bad.
If all seems good so far, the next thing to do is take a good look at the contents. If the color looks wrong or you see any signs of mold, definitely throw it out.
Next up, you need to give it a good sniff and trust your nose! If you detect a bad smell, throw it straight away – it’s just not worth risking a bout of food poisoning for a tin of old soup!
If you’ve done all the above and your can has passed the test, now comes the big moment – time to taste it! Again, you need to remember that cans past 6 years will definitely have some loss of flavor but will generally still be safe to consume if you have carried out all of the above checks.
How to Avoid Campbell’s Soup Going Past “Best Used By” Date?
Get into the habit of good housekeeping. This means rotating your cans in the pantry to make sure the oldest ones always stay at the front and on top. This will ensure that you don’t end up with really old cans stashed away and forgotten about at the back of the cupboard.
This will then lower the risk of your canned soup sitting there for years and not tasting as lovely and fresh as those good folks at Campbell’s intended. So get in the habit of putting the newest cans at the back and the oldest at the front, making them the first ones that you grab when wanting a nice warm and tasty soup.
How Long Will Campbell’s Soup Last After Opening?
An opened can of Campbell’s soup should be consumed within 3 days if stored correctly in the refrigerator.
It is really important to make sure you transfer the contents of your soup into a different container. This is because the metal in cans can start to leech into the contents once exposed to air and this isn’t good and will also give your soup a metallic taste.
Once you have used what you need, transfer the rest of the contents into a Tupperware container or glass jar and make sure you refrigerate it. This will not only ensure it stays safe but also that it retains its flavor, color, and aroma for the next 3 days.
Never leave opened soup out of the refrigerator as it will go bad and become inedible. This is because it will develop bacteria, yeast, and mold growth which naturally occur in the air around us. These will react with the food and make it go bad quite quickly, which is bad news for us, as it can result in a nasty episode of food poisoning.
Now you have carried out all the above necessary checks. It’s time to enjoy the lovely taste of your favorite Campbell’s soup with peace of mind!