Is it OK to use dented dog food cans?

If a can containing food has a small dent, but is otherwise in good shape, the food should be safe to eat. Discard deeply dented cans. A deep dent is one that you can lay your finger into. Deep dents often have sharp points.

Are dented dog food cans safe?

if it's clearly bloated or has dents which are deep or involving the sensitive areas, don't feed the food inside to your pets. if it clears the tests above, then it's likely to be OK.

How do I know if my dented cans are safe?

Side seams are on the side of the can and are usually covered by the label. End seams are on the top and bottom of the can. If there is a dent over any of these seams, the can has at least a Major defect, meaning it is unsafe. If a dent has sharp or pointed edges, it is also considered to have an unsafe, Major defect.

What happens if canned food is dented?

The USDA says that while rare, dented cans can lead to botulism which is a deadly form of food poisoning that attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble swallowing and difficulty breathing. Leaking and bulging cans can also be signs of compromised canned food.

Should I worry about dented cans?

If a can containing food has a small dent, but is otherwise in good shape, the food should be safe to eat. Discard deeply dented cans. A deep dent is one that you can lay your finger into. Deep dents often have sharp points.

how to know if DENTED food cans are “still” good

Why are dented cans unsafe?

Cans with large dents or dents on the seam should definitely be discarded. Why is this something to avoid? “Deep dents often have sharp points and a share dent on either the top or side seam can damage the seam and allow bacteria to enter the can,” she explains.

How big of a dent is safe in a can?

Small dents – if a can has a small dent that does not affect the rim or seal and the can is in good shape otherwise, the food should be safe to consume. Dented rims – cans that have dented rims (even tiny dents) should be DISCARDED.

Do all dented cans have botulism?

The risk is very small because usually dents do not produce holes. Dented cans do not necessarily have to be thrown out but their contents should be boiled to kill any microbes and destroy any toxin that could have been produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

Why food in dented cans should not be consumed chemistry?

The USDA says that while rare, dented cans can lead to botulism which is a deadly form of food poisoning that attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble swallowing and difficulty breathing. Leaking and bulging cans can also be signs of compromised canned food.

Can dogs get botulism from canned food?

Another way dogs can ingest the botulism toxin is if they eat food (either plant or animal product) which has been improperly canned or the can has become damaged.

How long does it take for botulism to grow in a dented can?

Canned food is a convenient and healthy way to enjoy your favorite foods, but it's important to remember to follow a few safety precautions when home canning. So, how long does it take for botulism to grow in canned food? Well, under the right conditions, the spores can produce deadly toxins within 3 to 4 days.

Can dogs get botulism?

Botulism is a rare condition that causes paralysis in dogs. Botulism is caused by ingesting the botulinum toxin, which is a substance produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Most cases of botulism in dogs are caused by eating dead animals or contaminated raw meat.

How do you know if your canned goods have botulism?

the container is leaking, bulging, or swollen; the container looks damaged, cracked, or abnormal; the container spurts liquid or foam when opened; or. the food is discolored, moldy, or smells bad.

Can you smell botulism?

Foodborne botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by eating foods that are contaminated with the disease‑causing toxin. You cannot see, smell, or taste botulinum toxin – but taking even a small taste of food containing this toxin can be deadly.

Why does a can bulge?

Swollen cans often indicate a spoiled product. During spoilage, cans may progress from normal to flipper, to springer, to soft swell, to hard swell. However, spoilage is not the only cause of abnormal cans. Overfilling, buckling, denting, or closing while cool may also be responsible.

How long does it take for botulism to grow in canned food?

Symptoms of botulism usually appear within 12 to 36 hours after eating food containing the neurotoxin, although there have been documented cases that ranged from 4 hours to 8 days. The earlier the symptoms appear, the more serious the disease.

Can botulism be cooked out?

botulinum are heat-resistant, the toxin produced by bacteria growing out of the spores under anaerobic conditions is destroyed by boiling (for example, at internal temperature greater than 85 °C for 5 minutes or longer).

How does canned food form botulism?

If canned foods are underprocessed, the bacteria can thrive in the oxygen-poor environment inside the sealed containers. Food packaged in defective cans, including those with leaky seams, can become contaminated because the bacteria can be sucked into the containers as the product cools, according to health officials.

Can grocery stores sell dented cans?

Don't buy any can that's dented along the seams that run along the top or side. The damage may have allowed bacteria to get inside. For the same reason, don't buy any sealed package that's torn, has a hole in it, or is coming apart at the seams. Don't buy any can or package that's leaking.

Do all bulging cans have botulism?

“Botulism doesn't produce bulging cans,” she explains, but adds that a bulge or a dent “tells you the [canning] process was inadequate—it's an indicator but not a sign of botulinum growth.” Foodborne botulism has a long, miserable history.

Can dented cans make you sick?

The USDA says that while rare, dented cans can lead to botulism which is a deadly form of food poisoning that attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble swallowing and difficulty breathing. Leaking and bulging cans can also be signs of compromised canned food.

How long are canned goods safe to eat?

High acid canned goods such as canned fruits, including tomatoes, should be eaten within 1-2 years past their expiration date. Low acid canned goods like vegetables, canned meats, and soups should be eaten within 2-3 years past their expiration date.

What canned foods can have botulism?

Home-canned foods with low acid content such as asparagus, green beans, beets and corn can easily become infected with botulism spores if you don't follow proper canning methods. Other foods can be risky even if they're handled by large manufacturers.

How do you prevent botulism in canned food?

By cooking under pressure, you can increase the temperature of boiling water from 100°C (212°F) up to 116°C (240°F). This is the minimum temperature necessary to destroy botulism spores, and the only way to guarantee safe canning for food items such as vegetables, meats and seafood.

Can you survive botulism?

When your case is mild, you may need weeks or months for a full recovery. It may take months or years to completely get over a very serious case. If the illness isn't treated, botulism can be life-threatening. But people recover in about 90% to 95% of cases.