
If a can of soup is undamaged and stored in a cool, dry place, the soup should be safe to eat for two to five years or longer. However, the taste of the food will gradually diminish over time.
Acid Content
Canned meat and vegetables have a low acid content, while fruits, including tomatoes, have a high acid content and should only be stored for 18 months or less.
Storage Tips
Canned foods should be stored in a dry, cool place where they will not be exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations and potential water damage. For this reason they should not be stored in damp spaces such as underneath sinks, in garages or above stoves.
Botulism
Botulinum toxin is extremely rare, but can be a fatal hazard in foods stored in damaged cans. If the can is bulging, badly dented or leaking, you should discard it. If the food has a foul odor or the can is spurting liquid upon opening, do not eat it or even taste it, as it can be deadly.
Related Articles
How to Store Dehydrated Foods

How Long Do Shucked Oysters Stay Fresh?
Maximum Storage Temperature of Canned ...

How to Cook Raw Chickpeas or Garbanzo ...

Can You Freeze Canned Goods?
Can You Use Stew Meat That Has Been ...

How Long Can You Refrigerate Nacho ...

FDA Food Storage Temperature Guidelines

How to Prevent Fabric Dry Rot

How to Store and Freeze Sundried ...

What Are the Best Containers to Freeze ...

Can You Freeze Raw Oysters?
Bugs That Get Into Pantry & Food
How Long do Leftovers Last?

How to Blanch, Peel, & Freeze Whole ...

How Long Can Meat Stay out of the ...
How Long After the Expiration Date Can ...

Guidelines For Refreezing
Can I Cold Pack and Can Homemade Soup?
What Happens if You Eat Expired Beets ...
References
Writer Bio
Taylor Patrick has been writing more than 10 years. She has written freelance articles, as well as provided marketing and copy writing services to nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Patrick has a journalism arts diploma and a Bachelor of Arts in general humanities from the University of Calgary.
Photo Credits
chicken noodle soup image by William Berry from Fotolia.com