--Food can be safe to eat even when it doesn't look great or taste amazing,-- he says. ... Canned goods: Most expiration dates on foods in cans range from 1 to 4 years--but keep the food in a cool, dark place and the cans undented and in good condition, and you can likely safely double that shelf life from 3 to up to 6 years.Jan 28, 2014read more >>