Fruit cocktail (canned) keeps about 18 months in the pantry.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 18 months |
About 18 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128, stored as follows: cool, dry pantry away from heat and light.
Fruit cocktail (canned) is shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry away from heat and light. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.
Look for: 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.