Ever thought twice about eating from a dented tin? Your instincts might be correct. Many kitchen staples, such as baked beans, tuna, and spam, come in tins. Yet, Paul Jackson, an expert at NRC Business Waste, advises consumers to carefully inspect every can, pointing out three key warning signs to watch out for.
You may be surprised to hear it all comes down to the can’s shape – something easily overlooked when storing supermarket purchases. “Food from a can with a shallow dent is generally safe to eat if there are no other signs of damage,” Jackson said last year.
“Deep dents in food cans are a major red flag, though. These dents can affect the seal, potentially allowing bacteria to enter and spoil the contents. Make sure you inspect tins for deep dents before enjoying the food inside, or you’ll be met with.”
As Jackson implies, deep craters that greatly alter the can’s shape should be treated with caution. Micro-fractures, often triggered by this damage, may occasionally allow bacteria to thrive along the seams, potentially leading to botulism if ingested, according to a previous Mirror report.
This rare but severe illness typically occurs when bacteria generate a toxin that attacks the nervous system. Symptoms usually include drooping eyelids, breathing difficulties, and blurred vision, resulting from weakened muscles throughout the body.
Without treatment, the NHS warns that botulism may even cause paralysis that spreads down the body from the head to the legs. The condition is potentially life-threatening.
Besides unwanted dents, other telltale signs that canned goods shouldn’t end up on your dinner table are rust and abnormal bulges. These may lead to similarly hazardous bacterial growth.
Jackson continued: “Rust on a can is a concern as it can weaken the metal and contaminate the contents. Even minor rust spots can indicate the food inside may no longer be safe to eat.
“A visibly bulging can is a clear sign of trouble. This bulging is typically due to gas buildup from bacterial activity inside the can, showing the food is spoiled and not safe to eat. Be sure to throw away bulging cans to reduce risk of contamination.
“If a can spurts liquid when you open it, this could be due to gas buildup from microbial growth, indicating spoilage. This affects the taste and quality of the food but also poses a serious health risk, so be careful.”
To avoid these risks, consumers are advised to store these items ‘properly’. This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are various, commonly overlooked factors to consider.
For example, storing canned goods in a cupboard above or near the sink is generally not advisable. Although it may seem like a cool and dry location, the humidity and fluctuating temperatures caused by the sink can accelerate spoilage and shorten the shelf life of canned goods.
“Extremely cold temperatures can cause cans to burst, potentially leading to air and moisture seeping in, which can then lead to rust and potential contamination,” Jackson went on. “Keeping tinned foods in a stable, moderate climate helps to preserve their longevity and safety.
“High-acid foods like tomatoes generally [also] maintain their quality for about 18 months after the use-by date due to their acidity, which helps preserve them. In contrast, low-acid foods, such as meats and vegetables, can retain their peak freshness for two to five years after the use-by date, provided they are stored properly.”
Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a medical expert at UK Care Guide, also told The Mirror: “Always use your judgment and err on the side of caution. If in doubt, it’s best to avoid the risk and discard the can. Remember, food safety should always come first to prevent any health risks.”
Have you got a story to tell? Get in touch, at lauren.haughey@reachplc.com
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.
