Do you eat from dented tins?

[mosschops30]

I dont buy them, but this week sainsburys delivered my stuff and most of it was squashed or dented.

Have just opened a dented can of sardines and wondering if I should eat them.
TBH they dont taste normal, but just wondering if thats all in my head

[limonchik]

What difference does a dent make?

[Beauregard]

No never

[vinblanc]

I remember, probably about 20 years ago, there was a botulism scare when some people contracted the disease from eating salmon from a dented tin.

I am not usually put off by these freak episodes, but it has stayed with me and I don't each fish from dented tins.

If it was something like tinned tomatoes or soup, I wouldn't worry, especially as I could cook them to death first.

[Tortington]

yes, sometimes i get money off is they are dented.

I assume if a dewnted can =food scare, they wouldn't be allowed to be sold

[ComeOVeneer]

We have been told for years that eating from dented cans is unsafe and should be avoided at all costs, Unfortunately, this is a common misconception that has lead to safe food being discarded and money and food being wasted. It is true that some dented cans are unsafe, but a majority of dented cans are completely safe.

The number one way to tell if a can is potentially dangerous is to push on the top and bottom of the can. If the top or bottom of the can moves in any way or makes a popping sound, the can's seal has been broken and air has made its way inside. Popped cans should be discarded or returned to the store where they were purchased for replacement. On the other hand, if the can does not make a noise or move, it is most likely safe to eat despite any dents.

Another way to tell if a can is safe to eat is by simply looking at the can. If the can is bulging and bloated it is most likely unsafe. Cans will bulge and bloat when bacteria begins to produce gasses which push the can outward. You can also tell by looking at the dented can if it rusting. Rust can weaken the integrity of the can and allow air and bacteria to enter it.

Sometimes cans can be fine when they originally get dented, but after a period of time begin to display some of the above changes. So when buying dented cans try to avoid buying cans that are dented on the top or bottom of the cans. These are where the main seams of the can are located and where the can is it's weakest. Alternatively, if the can is dented along the side it is most likely safe to eat the food within.

The final way you can tell if a dented can is safe to eat is when you open it. Once you puncture the can with your can opener it should not spray or explode. If it does spray or explode do not eat the food within it may be contaminated. Safe dented cans will open the same as non dented cans.

[ZZZenAgain]

Googled and found this:
That depends on the type of can. If it has a plastic coated inside, then it is perfectly safe to eat the contents. If it is a tin coated steel can, then I would avoid eating the contents. Denting can crack the tin coating and this sets off some fairly complex chemical reactions between the tin, the steel and the contents of the can. This can lead to the tin coating dissolving into the food,especially if the food is acidic. Tin is toxic and you wouldn't want to eat it.

[ComeOVeneer]

I thought most cans had platic coating inside these days, thus allowing you to keep leftovers in the can in the fridge(something you shouldn't do with the metal lined ones)?

[Ponders]

It's not being dented, it's having popped ends that's dangerous. Freshly dented () is fine

[mosschops30]

think I will leave it then. It was a rectangle shaped sradine can, I could manipulate the shape of the dent, sardines just dont taste like they would normally and am 27 wks pg so dont want to risk any infection.
Thanks

[Ponders]

Sardine tins are much more flexible anyway but wise to be cautious at 27 weeks

Have you complained about the number of damaged tins? They should replace them really

[vinblanc]

There is a 99.999% chance that all is well, but for the sake of a £, it is probably not worth the niggle of worry for you in your pregnancy, especially as these types of niggles can take on astronomical proportions during any sleepless nights.

Do you have a cat to give it to? Or to DH?

[mosschops30]

would love to give it to wankery dh today, sadly he's out and Ive thrown it.
Maybe clean the toilet with his toothbrush instead