How long do Canned goods (high acid (such as juices) last after opening?

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Once opened, Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) keep about 5–7 days in the fridge. Unopened, they keep about 12–18 months.

5–7 days

5–7 days opened in the fridge, against 12–18 months sealed in the pantry. Green is what this situation leaves you; husk is what it spends.

Source: USDA FoodKeeper v128 · Category: Pantry staples

How long Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) keep

SituationKeeps for
Unopened · pantry12–18 months
Opened · pantryNot recommended
Opened · fridge5–7 days

Only situations with a published figure are listed. A blank isn't “forever” — it means no reliable number is published for it.

Storage

How to tell if Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) has gone bad

Specific to Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)), from its USDA FoodKeeper v128 entry:

And the general signs for pantry staples:

The first list is USDA FoodKeeper v128's own published text for Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)); the rest are the general signs for pantry staples. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.

Air and warmth are what shorten an opened item's life — the right container buys back the days the packaging gives up once the seal's broken.

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FAQ

How long do Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) last after opening?

About 5–7 days refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128.

Do Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) need to be refrigerated after opening?

Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) are shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.

How can you tell if Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) are bad?

USDA FoodKeeper v128 publishes this for Canned goods (high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)) — pantry storage: Canned items will be safe to eat well past the ‘use-by’ or ‘best by’ date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling. Beyond that, the general signs for pantry staples are: A rancid, paint-like, or musty smell; Bulging, leaking, deeply dented, or rusted cans; Insects or webbing in dry goods; Mould or discoloration. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.

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