How long does tomato paste last?
Unopened, it keeps in the pantry for about 18 months. Once opened, it keeps in the fridge for about 4 weeks.
Product: Tomato paste in a tube. Canned paste keeps for less time once opened, see below.
Shelf life of tomato paste at a glance
| Storage | Unopened | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Pantry | 18 months | – |
| Fridge | – | 4 weeks |
Tube paste keeps for several weeks in the fridge if the opening stays clean. Transfer leftovers from a can to a jar and use within about 5 days.
Does tomato paste go bad?
Food past its date has not necessarily gone bad. The times on this page are guideline values for food stored properly. In the US, date labels are not required by federal law (infant formula is the exception), and most of them describe quality, not safety. A "Best if Used By" date is not an expiration date, and many products are still fine after it. A "Sell By" date is meant for the store, not for you. Look at the food and smell it before you taste a little. Mold, an off smell or a bulging can or lid means it goes in the trash. Take a "Use By" date on perishables such as meat, fish, deli meats and dairy seriously: eat or freeze them by that date.