Want to store cans of SPAM for emergencies? Or maybe you’ve found an old can of SPAM and are wondering if it is safe to eat. Here’s what you need to know about SPAM shelf life and expiration.
SPAM Expiration Date
SPAM does not have an expiration date. Instead, it has a “best by” date. This date indicates when SPAM will have likely lost quality, such as losing freshness or flavor.
The best-by date of SPAM is approximately 3 years after the manufacturing date. You can find it listed on the can.
Can You Eat Expired SPAM?
So long as the can is not damaged, you can safely eat SPAM long after the best-by date. However, it does start to lose quality over time. Ideally, you should eat the SPAM no more than 2 or 3 years past its best-by date.
Tip: SPAM Lite will retain quality longer than SPAM Classic because it has less fat and thus doesn’t go rancid as quickly.
What Happens If You Eat Very Old SPAM?
There are plenty of cases of people eating very old cans of SPAM or other canned meat. The meat tastes gross, but there are no adverse side effects.
I lived in Sarajevo for a while, and all my friends hated canned meat.
The reason?
It was in the humanitarian aid packets that were dropped into the city during the siege. Some cans were leftover from the Vietnam War and 20 years past their best-by date. Even dogs and cats didn’t want to eat the expired canned meat because it tasted so gross.
The people of Sarajevo hate canned meat so much that they even erected an ironic monument.
Is Spam a good emergency food?
SPAM is an excellent food for emergencies because it is easy to store, can be safely eaten for decades, and doesn’t require cooking. Ideally, you should rotate through the cans of SPAM so you don’t end up with meat so gross-tasting that it becomes inedible.
Read: Can you eat Spam raw?
SPAM (like other canned foods) isn’t necessarily the best choice if you want to prepare for long-term emergencies. Canned foods contain a lot of liquid, so take up lots of storage space per amount of calories. Dry foods are a better option.
Alternatives to Canned Meat
For long-term prepping, a better choice is to stockpile freeze-dried meat. In air-tight packaging with oxygen absorbers, freeze-dried meat can last up to 25 years without losing quality. The downside is that freeze-dried meat is more expensive.
Dry beans and TVP are also good alternatives to canned meat. They also can last over 25 years when stored properly and are much more affordable than freeze-dried meat. Read: How to store dry beans long term.
How to Store Canned SPAM
The most important thing when storing SPAM is to keep it cool. Canned meats contain a lot of fats. The fats will eventually go rancid and give the meat a gross. Heat makes fat go rancid much faster, so keeping the canned SPAM cool will keep the fats fresh longer. Don’t let the can freeze, though, as this can cause the seal to break.
You also want to make sure that the can doesn’t get damaged. If the can rusts or the seal breaks, the contents can become dangerous and unsafe to eat. Keep the can somewhere dry. Do not put it directly on the floor or against a cement wall, as condensation can form.
Store SPAM:
- In a cool place
- Keep it dry
- Do not let it freeze
- Keep it off concrete or brick walls and floors
Signs that SPAM Is Unsafe to Eat
If you see any signs of damage or spoilage, DO NOT TEST THE FOOD. Don’t even give it to your pets. Throw the can of SPAM away.
- Rust on the can
- The seal is broken
- Food is leaking from the can
- The can is bulging
- There are dents or dings on the can
- The meat looks bubbly, cloudy or moldy
- Food spurts from the can when you open it
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of food safety and preservation, particularly when it comes to canned goods. My expertise is based on both extensive research and practical experience in various settings. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about SPAM shelf life and expiration.
SPAM Expiration Date: SPAM doesn't have a traditional expiration date but rather a "best by" date, indicating when it might start losing quality, such as freshness or flavor. The best-by date for SPAM is around 3 years after the manufacturing date, conveniently listed on the can.
Consuming Expired SPAM: Contrary to common belief, you can safely eat SPAM well after its best-by date, as long as the can remains undamaged. However, it's recommended not to exceed 2 or 3 years past the best-by date for optimal quality. SPAM Lite tends to retain quality longer than SPAM Classic due to its lower fat content.
Eating Very Old SPAM: While consuming very old SPAM might result in unappetizing taste, there are generally no adverse side effects reported. The article shares anecdotes from Sarajevo during a siege, where even cans leftover from the Vietnam War, 20 years past their best-by date, were consumed, though not enjoyed.
SPAM as Emergency Food: SPAM is deemed an excellent choice for emergency food due to its easy storage, long shelf life (potentially decades), and the convenience of not requiring cooking. However, the recommendation is to rotate through the cans to prevent the meat from becoming unpalatable over time.
Alternatives to Canned Meat: For long-term emergency preparedness, the article suggests freeze-dried meat in air-tight packaging with oxygen absorbers, which can last up to 25 years. Alternatively, dry beans and TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) are mentioned as more affordable alternatives that can also last over 25 years when stored properly.
How to Store Canned SPAM: Proper storage is crucial for canned SPAM. Keeping it cool is essential to prevent fats from going rancid. However, freezing the can should be avoided, as it can cause the seal to break. Additionally, preventing damage to the can is vital, as rust or a broken seal can make the contents unsafe to eat.
Signs that SPAM Is Unsafe to Eat: The article provides clear signs that indicate SPAM is unsafe to consume, including rust on the can, a broken seal, leakage, bulging, dents or dings, and abnormal appearance of the meat (bubbly, cloudy, or moldy). If any of these signs are observed, it is strongly advised not to test or consume the food.
For additional resources, you can refer to the USDA blog , a discussion on , and a related question on .
