Answer:
In most cases no. Canned food usually has a shelf life of 2 years and it's best to dispose of such foodstuffs. Also beware of any damaged cans or ones that have a bulge in them. These are certain signs of contamination and should be disposed of quickly and without question.
When manufacturers produce a product they put an expiration date on it. This does not mean the food is not good after that date because there is a large safety factor added to the expiry date so the food is still good. The message on the container usually says something like "Best if used before 2/2/2009". Although the food is still good, the longer it stays on the shelf the more likely the flavor and taste will diminish. As the post above indicates, if there is visible damage to the can such as bulging it is probably contaminated with a gas generating microorganism and should be discarded without opening.