When Is It Safe To Eat Dented Canned Foods?

When dealing with dented cans you're often put in a tricky position. On the one hand, you don't want to waste food unnecessarily, but it's also crucial to prioritize your health. So what's the verdict when you're faced with a beat-up can? It all depends on the dent. Smaller, inward dents tend to be perfectly fine, so the contents inside these cans are very likely safe to eat. These dents typically occur because the can has been dropped, but no real damage has occurred that could breach the seal and compromise the food inside.

Now that you've identified your canned food as safe (more on unsafe canned goods in a moment), it's time to get to cooking. Canned soup is a great place to start. When picking out canned soup, consider your options and priorities, be it lower-sodium for a healthier quick dish or higher protein for a more satiating meal. While canned soups are a classic ready-made meal on their own, they also double as unexpectedly tasty pasta sauces. And heating them for enough time to potentially kill bacteria isn't a bad idea if you're feeling a little extra anxious.

If you suspect your canned food's dent might be a bit more serious, inspect further. Larger dents, especially ones that cause bulges in the can, should be treated very carefully. If you can stick your pointer finger inside the ridge formed by the dent, it's simply too big and not worth the risk. If the dent is facing outward and swollen, that is also a serious no-go, regardless of the size. This could indicate the presence of botulism, which can spell food poisoning and, in extremely severe cases, death. Moreover, bulging canned goods can run the risk of exploding due to the gas produced by bacteria inside.

Similarly, if the dent is jagged, it's also unsafe to eat. Not only are these sharp edges dangerous to handle, but it can also mean there is leakage and contamination. Your best bet is to err on the side of caution and toss the can. And if you open the can to see mold, sputtering foam or froth, or smell a foul odor, that is a hard no.

Conveniently, many major grocery stores in the U.S. such as Target and Trader Joe's will allow you to exchange your dented can with an undamaged alternative (of course, check with your local retailer first). Plus, while you're at Trader Joe's, shop around its canned goods aisle, as it's one of the best around.