You should be able to eat most canned goods multiple years after whatever their date is. A good rule of thumb is if the can isn't deformed as a result of the v

You should be able to eat most canned goods multiple years after whatever their date is. A good rule of thumb is if the can isn't deformed as a result of the volume of its contents changing as result of a chemical reaction then you're good to go. As far as rules of thumb go this is a pretty good one because a chemical reaction is a necessary perquisite of food spoilage (if the food doesn't change it doesn't spoil) and said chemical reaction will almost certainly alter the volume (at STP) of the contents of the can thereby deforming it. You can also use your nose which has millions of years of incremental improvement making it good at telling you what is and isn't edible.