FS-BOTULISM-CAN-01 food-safety life_threatening ai_generated true

AI tells a user that a bulging can of food is safe to eat if the contents look fine and smell normal

ID: food-safety/canned-food-botulism-bulging

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
95%Fix Rate
90%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-11-05First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
cdc_botulism_2024 active — — —
usda_canning_guide_2023 active — — —

Root Cause

A bulging can indicates gas production by Clostridium botulinum or other spoilage bacteria; botulinum toxin is odorless and tasteless, and even a small amount can cause fatal paralysis.

generic

中文

罐头鼓胀表明肉毒梭菌或其他腐败菌产气；肉毒毒素无色无味，即使少量也可导致致命性瘫痪。

Official Documentation

https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention.html

Workarounds

  1. 99% success Immediately discard any bulging can in a sealed plastic bag and place in the trash (not compost). Do not open or taste. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. 
    Immediately discard any bulging can in a sealed plastic bag and place in the trash (not compost). Do not open or taste. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  2. 85% success If the can has been opened and contents appear normal but the can was bulging, boil the contents for 10 minutes before tasting, but still consider discarding due to risk of other toxins. 
    If the can has been opened and contents appear normal but the can was bulging, boil the contents for 10 minutes before tasting, but still consider discarding due to risk of other toxins.

中文步骤

  1. Immediately discard any bulging can in a sealed plastic bag and place in the trash (not compost). Do not open or taste. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  2. If the can has been opened and contents appear normal but the can was bulging, boil the contents for 10 minutes before tasting, but still consider discarding due to risk of other toxins.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 80% fail

    Botulinum toxin is heat-labile and can be destroyed by boiling for 10 minutes, but the can may contain other heat-stable toxins from other bacteria, and the presence of spores means the food is spoiled.

  2. 65% fail

    C. botulinum can grow and produce toxin at temperatures as low as 38°F (3°C) in low-acid foods; refrigeration does not reverse existing gas or toxin.

  3. 70% fail

    Thermal expansion from freezing would cause the can to return to normal shape after thawing; a permanent bulge is always a sign of bacterial gas.