Shelf Stable Foods
How long do high-acid canned goods like juice and tomatoes last?
High-acid cans — juice, fruit, pickles, tomatoes — hold 12–18 months in the pantry, and 5–7 days in the fridge once opened.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry, from purchase | 12–18 months |
|---|---|
| Pantry, opened | Not recommended |
| Fridge, opened | 5–7 days |
Can it sit out?
Unopened, high-acid canned goods is shelf-stable. Once opened, treat it as perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if high-acid canned goods has gone bad
- A can that bulges, leaks, or spurts as the seal breaks
- Rust deep enough to pit or flake the metal
- A sharp fermented or fizzy smell when the lid lifts
- Sharp dents along a seam or the rim
When in doubt, throw it out.
Move leftovers into a container rather than storing them in the open can — acid pulls a metallic taste out of the tin.
Quick answers
How long do high-acid canned goods like juice and tomatoes last?
High-acid cans — juice, fruit, pickles, tomatoes — hold 12–18 months in the pantry, and 5–7 days in the fridge once opened.
How long can high-acid canned goods sit out?
Sitting out isn’t the safety question for unopened high-acid canned goods — once opened, the FSIS 2-hour rule applies. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).