CANNED_DENT_SEAM_SAFE food-safety health_risk ai_generated true

AI tells a user that a can with a dent on the side seam is safe to eat if the dent is small and the can is not bulging, ignoring the risk of botulism

ID: food-safety/canned-dent-seam-safe

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
82%Fix Rate
89%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-09-12First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
USDA FSIS 2023 active — — —
FDA 2022 active — — —

Root Cause

Dents on side seams or rims can create microscopic openings that allow Clostridium botulinum spores to enter and produce toxins in low-acid foods.

generic

中文

侧面接缝或边缘的凹痕可能产生微小开口，使肉毒杆菌孢子进入并在低酸食品中产生毒素。

Official Documentation

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/canned-foods-and-botulism

Workarounds

  1. 95% success Discard any can with a dent on the side seam, rim, or any deep dent; do not taste the food. 
    Discard any can with a dent on the side seam, rim, or any deep dent; do not taste the food.
  2. 85% success If the can is intact but dented on the body (not seam), use within 1-2 days after opening and boil contents for 10 minutes. 
    If the can is intact but dented on the body (not seam), use within 1-2 days after opening and boil contents for 10 minutes.
  3. 90% success Purchase cans in good condition; avoid cans with any dents on seams or rims. 
    Purchase cans in good condition; avoid cans with any dents on seams or rims.

中文步骤

  1. 丢弃任何侧面接缝、边缘或深凹痕的罐头；不要品尝食物。
  2. 如果罐头完好但罐身（非接缝处）有凹痕，开封后在1-2天内食用，并将内容物煮沸10分钟。
  3. 购买完好无损的罐头；避免接缝或边缘有任何凹痕的罐头。

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 70% fail

    Boiling the can contents for 10 minutes does not guarantee botulism toxin destruction; toxin requires 185°F (85°C) for 5 minutes.

  2. 90% fail

    Smelling the food is not reliable; botulism toxin is odorless and tasteless.

  3. 80% fail

    Transferring contents to another container and refrigerating does not destroy toxin.