How can you tell if canned food is bad? Do you know the signs of spoiled canned food that might be deadly? There are several ways harmful bacteria can contaminate canned food. In the United States, there are over 100 cases of botulism are reported each year. This harmful bacteria can cause serve illness and even death.

Is there a way to tell if canned tomatoes are spoiled? A person can’t see or smell if a can is contaminated with botulism spores, however, there are other contaminants that can be seen and smelled. The good news is that most of the signs that canned food has spoiled are fairly easy to recognize once you know what to look for. Below are 8 warning signs of bad canned food. If you are concern about a can or jar of food, don’t risk it! Can you guess the 8 signs below of how to tell if canned food is bad?

Canned Food Gone Bad

1. A Lid that Bulges Moving Up & Down

This unsafe can of whole potatoes had been exposed to extremely cold temperatures and relatively hot temperatures in my garage, over a 6 month period. Food storage shouldn’t be stored in a garage that is not temperature controlled.







2. Food Projecting or Exploding When Opened

3. Rusting / Corrosion of Can

This was pulled out of a house fire and it was covered with soot. Soot and moisture corroded the metal. Corrosion will eventually create holes that let in air and bacteria.

4. Leaking

Wear gloves when cleaning up this mess and just to be safe throw out any food that the contaminated liquid has touched.

5. Dents

Dents compromise the integrity of the air-tight seal which can expose the food to harmful bacteria.

6. Acrid Smell

If it smells pungent, acidic, chemical, or has an unnatural smell don’t eat it!

7. Rising Bubbles or Unnatural Looking Colors

The picture above is a well-shook can illustrating safe bubbles. I didn’t have an example of unsafe bubbles so I thought I’d show you safe bubbles. The bubbles to watch out for are small rising gas bubbles.

8. Sound – Hisses Loudly When Opened or

No Sounds of Liquid Inside When Shaken

A soft quiet hiss when the air rushes into a can you are opening is normal but a can that hiss loudly when opened is a warning sign.

It’s important to rotate your canned food to keep your food fresh. However, if a can is bulging, projecting, rusting, leaking, is dented, has a weird smell, looks funky, or hisses loudly DON’T taste it and handle it very carefully! Safely dispose of the contaminated food.

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Related Article: Peek Inside 7 Prepper’s Food Storage Pantries







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