How to Tell If Canned Food Has Gone Bad?

Signs that canned food may be spoiled include a bulging can or lid, gas or liquid spurting out when opened, a bad smell, cloudy liquid, and mold. Never taste a can showing any of these signs; discard it. A bulging can is a major sign that dangerous spoilage may be producing gas inside. Canning preserves food in an airtight container through heat processing. As long as the can remains intact and sealed, its contents can last a long time. But if a can is dented, punctured, rusty, or leaking, or if the heat treatment was insufficient, microorganisms can grow inside and produce gas that makes the can bulge. Low-acid canned foods can pose a serious risk even when spoilage has no smell or taste, so do not rely on smell or appearance to establish safety. When in doubt, do not taste the product; discard any suspicious can. For home-canned foods, careful heat processing and hygiene are essential to reducing these risks.

How to Tell If Canned Food Has Spoiled

Check a can before opening it and the contents immediately after opening. A swollen or bulging lid or can body is a serious warning sign; discard the product without opening it. Do not consume cans with dents, holes, deep rust, or leaks. A can that spurts gas, foam, or liquid, or hisses when opened, is unsafe. Do not eat the contents if they look cloudy, have an unusual color, show mold, or smell bad. A bulging lid or a lost vacuum seal on a glass jar can also indicate spoilage.

Common Mistakes When Checking Canned Goods

Some mistakes can create serious food-safety risks. It is dangerous to assume that boiling the contents of a bulging can will make them safe; discard the product without tasting it. Normal smell and appearance do not prove that canned food is safe, and a bulging can is enough reason to discard it. Never taste a suspicious product to check it. Do not keep opened food in its metal can; transfer it to a sealed container.

How to Store Canned Food

Store unopened cans in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight; damp conditions can speed up rusting. Do not leave opened food in the metal can. Transfer it to a sealed container, refrigerate it, and generally use it within a few days; the time can vary by product. Follow the date information on the can, and never continue storing a bulging or damaged can. Signs of spoilage include bulging, damage, gas release, a bad smell, and changes in the contents. If you see any of these signs, discard the product without tasting it. When in doubt, do not consume it. Properly stored, intact cans can keep their contents safe for a long time.