I recently inspected my supplies and found some of the cans a little worse for the wear. Some slightly dinged, some really dented. Is it safe or should I d.x. these things? I wonder ever since that health class of years gone by when they said don't eat food from dented cans, botulism and othe suchness...any real-time ideas/knowedge?

-- Billy-Boy (Rakkasn@Yahoo.com), September 08, 1999

Answers

If you're rotating your supplies, pull out the dented cans and use them, and then buy replacements.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), September 08, 1999.

We buy dented cans all the time. Much cheaper than undented. We use then right away and have not experienced any problems. As with any canned food, if the ends buldge or there is a foul smell to the contents, discard the item. It's better to err on the side of safety.

-- (southeastern@my-deja.com), September 08, 1999.

I think that the most likely problem might be if the dent is severe/sharp enough to have damaged the inner lining - thus allowing food to contact the metal directly....? Certainly don't know for sure - be careful.

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), September 08, 1999.

I buy dented cans all the time- and store them for long periods of time. If the cnas integrity has not been breached- it doesn't matter one bit.....if the can isn't leaking, doesn't spurt when opened, doesn't look funny, taste funny, smell funny- should be o.k.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), September 08, 1999.

For safety's sake - boil the contents vigorously for 20 minutes after opening. I personally wouldn't use them. The cost of the cans you toss versus the cost of a doctor's visit or emergency room visit is too minimal to take the chance.

-- Mom (mom@mom.com), September 08, 1999.

Dented cans are fine, I get them all the time (oh, has someone already said that?). It's *bloated* cans you need to watch out for. It's a sign of those devious little microbes giving off gas as they divide and multiply.

-- Fountain of Useless Knowledge (booboo@boo.boo), September 09, 1999.