How long do tube cans last?
In the fridge, tube cans keep until the date on the package.
No guideline
Use by the package date
No guideline
Do tube cans go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, tube cans may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell tube cans have gone bad
General signs for baked goods: refrigerated dough, the group USDA lists tube cans under.
- Container or tube bulging or the seal has popped
- Grey or off-colour patches on the dough surface
- Sour, yeasty or alcohol-like smell instead of a mild one
- Slimy or unusually sticky texture on the outside
- Visible mould spots, often blue-green or white
More on baked goods: refrigerated dough. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other baked goods: refrigerated dough last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.