HOW DO YOU KNOW IF CANNED FOOD IS FIT FOR CONSUMPTION OR NOT?

For decades, they have become an essential item in our shopping basket and we can resort to them at any time. They have the added advantage of lasting a long time in perfect condition because the airtight, vacuum-sealed can protects the food, but this does not mean that they cannot go bad. How can we know if it is in good condition? Here are some tips.

A manufacturing defect is one of the main reasons why such canned food is unfit for consumption. If the can is not well sealed, it is very likely that in a matter of days they cannot be eaten. However, there are some warning signs that the can is not in good condition, such as a dent or ding in the can, especially if the lid moves and is not well sealed.

Another element is oxidation, which is usually caused because the can has been stored in a place with a high degree of humidity. Also, if the canned food is swollen, it indicates that the food inside has frozen and expanded.

If the can shows signs of oxidation on the edges and the seams, or is dented, it does not have to mean that it contains Clostridium botulinum, but the airtightness of the can has been broken, and other microorganisms can grow in general, and it would be advisable to throw it away due to misapplication of heat.

However, sometimes the can may be in perfect condition on the outside, but not on the inside. When there are anaerobic bacteria inside the can it is because gas has accumulated, so when we are going to open it, the food will come out like an explosion. If this occurs, it is most likely that the lid is swollen before opening.

In addition, if there is a hissing sound when the can is opened, this is also a clear warning that the canned food cannot be eaten. Another factor to take into account is whether bubbles are observed when the metal container is opened. This is decisive because it indicates that there are bacteria in the interior, bubbles are a clear indication of some type of fermentation, also the presence of foam clearly indicates that there may be bacterial activity.

Be careful, botulinum toxin can appear in canned foods that are poorly prepared because they have undergone an incorrect heat treatment. Sufficient heat is usually applied to the food to kill this bacterium, but in some cases it can survive.

Symptoms of this infection appear between 12 and 36 hours after ingestion of the toxin and include weakness, dizziness, a feeling of paralysis, vomiting, difficulty breathing, abdominal swelling, constipation or diarrhea. There are also some symptoms that appear later such as difficulties in vision, swallowing, speaking properly and dry mouth. Therefore, at the slightest doubt, both in the supermarket and at home, we should discard these canned foods that can put our health at risk.