digicomphoto/iStock/Getty Images
Most forms of foodborne illness can make you pretty miserable, but a few -- such as botulism -- are especially dangerous. The bacteria responsible for the illness, Clostridium botulinum, doesn't make you sick directly. Instead it produces a durable, heat-resistant toxin that's lethal unless treated. Commercially canned foods are usually safe from botulism, but bulging or badly dented cans are an exception.
Crash & Dent Sale
Most dented cans are still perfectly safe, but this depends heavily on where the can is dented and how deeply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service suggests laying your finger horizontally into the dent. If it's deep enough to conceal most of your finger, the contents of the can probably shouldn't be used. Neither should cans with a sharp dent along a seam, either at the can's side or at the top or bottom corner. Those dents can potentially make microscopic perforations in the can's seal, enabling bacteria to enter and render the food unsafe.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Botulin toxin is a subtle threat because your canned food will typically still look and taste fine, even when it's ridden with the bacteria. On the whole, it's best to simply discard any dubious cans.
Related Articles
How Long Can Food Stored in Canning ...
Can You Freeze Canned Goods?
How Long Can You Keep Canned Salmon?
What Happens if You Eat Expired Beets ...
How Long Does Tomato Juice Last After ...
How Long After the Expiration Date Can ...
Can You Boil the Bacteria Out of ...
How Can You Tell If Frozen Shrimps Are ...
Indications of Refrigerated Cooked Meat ...
Dangers With Infused Olive Oil With ...
How Long Can Grilled Octopus Keep?
What Are the Best Containers to Freeze ...
How to Safely Eat Raw Oysters
How to Take a Blade Out of a Disposable ...
The Danger of Storing Hard Cider in ...
How Long Can Leftovers Be Refrigerated?
FDA Food Storage Temperature Guidelines
What Are the Dangers of Plastic Bags ...
Can You Cook Meat Gone Bad?
How to Sterilize Safety Goggles
References
Writer Bio
Fred Decker is a trained chef and prolific freelance writer. In previous careers, he sold insurance and mutual funds, and was a longtime retailer. He was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. His articles have appeared on numerous home and garden sites including GoneOutdoors, TheNest and eHow.
Photo Credits
digicomphoto/iStock/Getty Images