Minor ethical dilemma

[UnKemped]

I have OCD, and one of my "things" is about bashed cans of food. I have loads of slightly bashed but basically intact cans, which I need to get rid of. Some nice food, some of it quite expensive. Should I throw it out or take it to a food bank? DH thinks that I should take it to a food bank as it would be a waste otherwise, and someone might like it. I think if I'm not prepared to eat it ourselves it would be unethical to expect someone else to have it.

Opinions?

(NB I realise the best solution is to get over the OCD - I'm working on that one...).

If it’s well within date then food bank definitely.

It’s not unethical, it’s helfpul - I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at a dent so given it’s still fresh do take it in!

All well in date, yes, Needallthesleep. Thank you for the response.

Food bank! Dented tins are perfectly safe to use, it's if they're blown out (vanishingly rare these days) they're dodgy.

Good luck wuth the OCD treatment.

If you were not prepared to eat it because it was out of date or spoiled in some way then you would have a point. As the only reason you’re not prepared to eat it is that the can is bashed (and you know that’s irrational) then it would be completely ridiculous to throw it away rather than give it to a food bank.
I bought tinned meat for the food bank this morning because that’s what they’ve asked for. I really dislike tinned meat. Was it unethical for me to buy it and donate it?

Food bank.
It is your issue.
There is as far as I am aware nothing wrong with eating food from dented cans, (is there?).

Thank you all. Really appreciate the responses to this.

Looked it up

According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services, if a can of food has a small dent but otherwise appears sound, the contents should be safe to eat. However, there are five important warning signs to consider when deciding to keep a can or to discard it.

If you notice a dent, try pushing on the top and the bottom of the can. If the top or bottom of the can moves or if you hear a popping sound, you should discard the can. The dent has broken the seal and air has entered the can, making the contents unsafe.
Look for any signs of bulging or bloating in the can. The swelling is most likely caused by the gases from harmful bacteria growing inside the can. Do not open a bulging can because even breathing the fumes can be dangerous.
Similarly, be mindful of any spraying when you open a can of food. A can that sprays or explodes when you open it probably contains bacteria.
Examine the can for rust. Rust is a sign that the integrity of the can may be weak and that air may have penetrated the can’s interior.
Consider the size and location of the dent. If it is along the seam of a can, it can be an indication that the can’s seal is broken. If the dent is deep, air could have entered the can.

So go through these and if its just small dents then send to food banks

Or - send to food bank and if they think not fit for use, they can discard.

Are you likely to become anxious about who has eaten the food once you have passed the tins on?

Are you a bad juggler? I can’t temeber when I last had a dented tin!