Canned foods are convenient, as they keep for ages and are typically affordable. However, a doctor has warned people against eating food from a tin under particular conditions.
NHS surgeon and author Dr Karan Rajan is hugely on social media, boasting millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok. He often shares useful and educational health advice – while frequently debunking myths put forward by other users.
In one post, the medic has outlined why we should “throw out” specific tinned products. Sharing a clip where a woman describes purchasing a four-pack of canned soup, only to discover most tins were damaged when she removed them from the outer wrapping, Dr Rajan explained: “If you have dented cans, here’s what to look for to know if it’s safe to use.
“Look for dents on the side seam. These are usually covered by the label, so make sure you peel it off to inspect it carefully.”
He noted that if there’s a dent on the side that “doesn’t involve the side seam” of the tin, or create a sharp, pointed edge, the contents inside should remain safe to consume.
Dr Rajan went on to say that that dents which do produce a sharp, pointed edge might create a tiny puncture that “compromises the can” and advised people to bin it in such circumstances.
Dents that affect the top seam of the can render the entire product unsafe, he elaborated. Small dents that “don’t encroach the seam” are safe, according to the doctor, while a dent “so deep you can lay a finger on it” also “sounds safe”.
The doctor continued: “If a can looks like it’s been crushed, throw it away. Also bin it if it looks like it’s about to explode”. Dr Rajan clarified that not every single dented can needs to be discarded but he said: “If in doubt, throw it out”.