Fruit cups are fresh food from various fruits, lots of nutrition and refreshing. This is a favorite food for many people, both children and parents. But do you know what does fruit cups shelf life, whether the Fruit Cups expire? You have to know this part because you have to throw away your fruit cup if it has gone bad or is not suitable for use.
In this article we will explain everything about Fruit cups including how long fruit cups last, their shelf life, expiration and how to determine if they have gone bad and what are the causes for these Fruit Cups going bad.
Fruit Cups Shelf Life, How long does fruit cups Last
One of the advantages of Fruit cup is that they have a long shelf life. These are pieces of fruit that are sold in cans or cups. Usually in cans it is preserved with syrup and the lid is sealed so that it is not exposed to air and moisture. Storing it in airtight cans helps extend its shelf life.
The shelf life of Fruit cups is several years if stored properly in unopened cans.
Fruit cup can also expire, but this varies depending on the type of fruit and how it was processed. Then, storage conditions must also be considered because this also affects the Fruit cups shelf life.
The average Shelf life for leading brands
| Fruit cups products | Unopened | Opened | In Refrigerator |
| Dole Fruit Bowls | More than a year | 2-3 days | > 1 year |
| Del Monte | 2 to 3 years | 10 days(if stored in Ref. without closing) | > 1 year |
| Happy Belly | More than a year | 2-4 days | > 1 year |
| GoGo squeeZ | 12 months | 24hrs | > 1 year |
For more information about the fruit cups shelf life and more, you can find it on the official website.
What Happens If You Eat Expired Fruit Cups?
credit to: eatwellwithlex.com
Expired fruit cups are those that have passed the date stated on the packaging, but this does not indicate that the fruit cups have gone bad. The expiration date indicates the freshness of the fruit and the quality of this fruit food for consumption. If you want to enjoy the freshness of Fruit cups then consume before the expiration date.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t consume expired fruit cups anymore. As long as you store it properly and you see no signs of spoilage, fruit food is still edible and harmless. You should only throw them away if you identify any of the several signs of fruit cup spoilage.
Expiration Date and Its Meaning
Fruit cups, like most manufactured goods, they have a “best before” rather than an “expiration” date. But what makes them different? A “best before” date, this is a specific sign to expire a food. That is, it is the last date the food was in its freshness state. After that, the food is usually still edible, it’s just that the quality has improved in terms of taste, texture and nutrition.
While a “use by” date is the form of the expiration date used on food to indicate the last day a food is considered safe to eat. This indicates that on that date a product begins to decline in quality and safety. So, the advice is “don’t eat it” even if it doesn’t necessarily give you food poisoning.
Among the perishable foods are dairy products, meat, poultry. Because they are perishable, manufacturers usually use the word “use by” date to indicate when they should be consumed in order to ensure the good quality and safety to eat it.
A “sell-by” date is a form or type of expiration date that is used on food labels to identify when a product should be taken out of stores. The “sell-by” date is a label that shows retailers when they should clear their items on store shelves. So, this does not indicate a product that is no longer safe to eat. The products with a “sell-by” date label, even if they have passed the date, can still be eaten safely until some time later.
Sell-by Vs Use-by Date
It’s important to know that a “sell-by” date is different from the “use-by” date. “Use-by” date is a label to show a product according to its quality so that consumers must be careful with it. While the “sell-by” date is a label that is shown to retailers to spend their goods before that date.
Thus, the “sell-by” date is for the retailer and the “use-by” date is for the consumer.
The “Use-by” label is a useful guide for consumers like me and you. The USDA estimates that Americans waste up to 30% of their food supply. If you don’t understand the “use-by”, and “sell-by” instructions then you will likely waste a lot of edible food. So, this is an important part that should be known by those of you who often shop at the store.
How Long Can Fruit Cups Stay Open?
As soon as you open the can of fruit cup or the package, the transformation process begins quickly. As long as you store it properly, the opened fruit cup can last up to several days to a week.
If you’ve opened it and you can’t finish it, you can close the bottle or cup again, and store it in the refrigerator so that it stays cold and it’s not easy for bad bacteria and microorganisms to grow that cause fruit spoilage.
How To Tell if Fruit Cups Go Bad?
To ensure the fruit cups shelf life is still safe, and you do not eat fruit that are damaged, it is important to always check the expiration date.
If the expiration date has passed, you should watch for signs of spoilage to ensure that your fruit cup have been discarded and can no longer be eaten. Here are some important tips to find out if your fruit cup are spoiled.
– Bad smell: If you find a bad smell coming from your fruit cups, then this is a sign that it has gone bad.
– Mold: If there is mold growing on the surface of the fruit during storage, then ensure that your fruit cups are gone bad and you should throw them away instead of eating the unhealthy ones.
– Discoloration: Also pay attention to the color, if the fruits have turned black, then this is past its peak and must be discarded.
– Changes in texture: If you find that your fruit cups have a mushy or soft texture, then this is a sign that they should be discarded.
– The can is swollen: This is also an indication that the fruit cups have been tampered with and a chemical reaction has occurred in them which requires you to throw them away.
What do Spoiled Fruit Cups Taste Like?
Fruit cups that have passed their shelf life or have expired have an unpleasant, sour taste and this occurs due to the breakdown of sugars by fruit enzymes and bacteria that have grown in them.
So, it is possible that the texture of the fruit is also soft, slimy and slippery with an unpleasant odor. If you find fruit cups like these, then you should throw them away rather than eat them and cause food poisoning.
What Makes Fruit Cups Go Bad?
Why do fruit cups expire and go bad? There are several factors that play a role in food spoilage, including fruit in cans, including:
Humidity: If high humidity causes the fruit to spoil quickly, it should be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
Temperature: If the temperature is high, then the fruit cup can spoil quickly, so the temperature should be cold to refrigerator temperature. Storing it in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life.
Exposure to light and air: Once the can has been opened, you must finish it. Exposure to air and light can accelerate decay. Then store the fruit cup in an airtight container and in a place free from light.
Age: It cannot be denied that storage age can affect the quality and spoilage of food, including fruit. The sealed fruit cups shelf life can be 1 year, but if they are stored for more than the recommended time, they will spoil even in the storage area. So when buying fruit cups, check the expiration date so you really get fresh ones.
Microorganisms: Microorganisms are also one of the causes of damage to the fruit cup. Among the microorganisms are bacteria, fungi, and yeast that can appear on the surface of the fruit cup.
Damage to the cans: Damage to the cans can also damage the food inside, if the cans are damaged, then make sure that the fruit inside is also not likely to last long.
What is the Best Way to Keep Fruit Cups Fresh?
The best way to keep fruit cups fresh is to pay attention to their storage. Correct storage can extend the shelf life of fruit cup. But this depends on “whether the fruit cup has been opened or not”. So those that haven’t been opened or are still sealed will last longer.
To keep your fruit cup fresh and last longer, you can follow the following storage steps.
- Store in an airtight container and put in the refrigerator. Storage area should be away from heat sources, and should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
- Pay attention to the expiration date, so don’t store fruit cups that are almost past their expiration date. Avoid using damaged or bulging cans, as they can shorten the shelf life.
- Close the airtight container tightly to ensure no air can get in.
Fruit cups that have been opened must be used up within a few days, this is to ensure freshness.
Should Fruit Cups be Refrigerated?
The answer is that it depends on the type of fruit cup, some are resistant to being stored in the pantry or kitchen shelf and this does not need to be chilled. Others need to be refrigerated to ensure they stay fresh longer.
Usually, the cans of Fruit Cups that have been packed with preservatives will hold up in the pantry as long as they haven’t been opened. Once opened, you have no other alternative but to put it in the refrigerator.
Most homemade fruit is made with fresh fruit and doesn’t use preservatives. If it’s like this, then you have to store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
Remember, if you buy it in a store, then pay attention to the storage method so that your fruit cup lasts longer.
Fruit Cups Shelf Life In The Freezer?
Putting fruit cups in the freezer is the best way to extend their shelf life. If your product is in a sealed can, it can last up to a year or more. But if the can has been opened, then you have to put it in an airtight container and put it in the freezer to make it last for several months.
When placing in an airtight container, if you are using a freezer-safe plastic bag, then press down on the bag to release all the air inside. Then, store it for several months. If you want to use it, then take it out of the freezer and leave it overnight in the fridge, letting it thaw slowly to keep its texture and taste fresh.
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How Long Can I Store Fruit Cups in the Pantry?
Keeping fruit cups in the pantry is also the best choice, especially if your fruit cups are packed with juice or syrup. You can store them at room temperature or in a dry, cool pantry and away from direct light for 12 to 18 months. This is especially for those that are still sealed in cans.
If you have opened it, then put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator to last for 3-5 days.
So, that’s the shelf life of the fruit cup, how long it lasts is influenced by storage conditions such as the storage area, the amount of light that hits it, and the age of the fruit cup when you buy it.
What Can I Do with Old Fruit Cups?
If your storage is almost past its use-by date, or is only a few days past, then you don’t necessarily have to throw it away. See how it is, if it doesn’t smell rancid, and the texture is still good, you can use it to make smoothies or salads. It will be more delicious to enjoy it than to eat it straight away.
Besides making smoothies, you can use old fruit cup to make cakes like muffins, pies and cakes.
If your fruit cups are gone bad and smelly, you can use them as compost, place them in flower pots or plants for additional plant nutrition.
