Dents in canned food

tony3619

So I was making some dinner tonight and went to open a can of beans and the missus said we can't use it because it's dented.

Now im cautious about food safety but I've never thought about this kind of dent being an issue? I understand severely dented tins breaking seals etc but I kind of laughed it off.

Obviously I ate it but would you feel comfortable leaving this type of tin on your shelf for a year and eating it without worrying about deadly bacteria?

The way the world is at the moment it might get to the point of eating out of dented cans near expiry! 😬

jackieblack

I would eat (and have eaten) food from dented cans, I just try and use them asap when I've noticed the dent

Slinky

If it passes the sniff test when you open it, it'll be fine.

Altior

The rule of thumb is that dented is fine, creased is not.

Since the can is in your possession however, you have nothing to lose by opening it to check. What you need to check for is any disturbance to the seal on the inside part of the can. If it's dented but all intact, that's fine.

tony3619

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966124#Comment_81966124

So would you say this can looks fine?

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966129#Comment_81966129

Yes, almost certainly is.

For info, the risk factor isn't bacteria. It's that the cans are lined with chemicals, and if the lining is broken it can get into the actual food stuff.

oldernonethewiser

I can't see any reason to avoid the food in that can, but as already said if it passes the sniff test, enjoy.

fatbelly

Bacteria is the danger with damaged cans, if the seal is broken. Specifically botulism. While this in incredibly rare with commercial canning, it is not unknown with home preserved food.

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/07/uk-review-finds-botulism-is-rare-but-still-a-public-health-threat/

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966159#Comment_81966159

And Botulism has no smell, so the 'sniff test' is useless.

tony3619

Considering cans are easy to dent I'm surprised we don't hear more about foot poisoning from them.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966212#Comment_81966212

Theoretical/statistical risk perhaps, but probably a direct link in real life is not often investigated. However, if the seal on the inside is not disturbed, it's fine and if it is, dump it! Once a can is in your possession it's easy to test it, the rule of thumb applies prior to purchase. In fact, creased cans should not be offered up for sale.