Do you buy canned food if the can has a dent?

@Ashida (1370)
United States
January 1, 2007 3:27pm CST
I worked at a grocery store in high school and had a dented can swell up and explode. The smell was awful. I've always checked our canned goods ever since.
2 people like this
5 responses
@loralee (542)
• United States
1 Dec 07
I know that they are usually safe unless dented by the seal or showing obvious leakage, but as a rule, I usually avoid the dented ones. I have a little OCD in me so...
• Ireland
1 Jan 07
wow - how awful! Yes I always check when I'm shopping to make sure no cans I'm buying have dents. I've heard that the food can be contaminated. I suppose that your story rather proves this! Another thing I do is rinse the tops of cans before I open them just in case they've been exposed to rat wee in storage. I've heard that it's quite common to get that deadly disease carried by rats - leptospirosis - from cans (including cooldrink cans) that have been contaminated in storage.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
I think it's more of the bulging on either the sides. The dent is no problem as long as there's no holes or exposures. But if it's possible, it's best to buy perfect cans. Plus take note of the expiration dates. Yeah, I wash the tops first. To be sure there's no contamination or wee, as you said.
• United States
2 Jan 07
I think in most cases, dented cans are safe. You should look for bulging on either ends of the can; that is a tell-tale sign of spoilage that can cause an explosion. Most small dents are fine, and the stores will sell them at a discount. lol, you might be a little gunshy about them at this point though!
@sugarfloss (2139)
• Malaysia
5 Jul 07
i've always checked for dents before buying canned food.dented cans may cause danger food.so beware;)
@ALouie (118)
• United States
29 Oct 07
I don't buy dented cans. A friend in college advised me about this. I didn't believe it at first and I bought a dented soda can. When I opened it, it smelled bad. I never bought a dented can again. I always think stock clerks are annoyed when they see me checking cans for dents.