CANNED FOODS:
Keeping the lid on contamination
Commercial canning is one of the safest methods of food processing. In fact, canned foods have a much
safer record than home-cooked meals. However, on occasion, a canned food may spoil due to a
manufacturing flaw. Sometimes a can may be accidentally damaged in the store or at home and
contamination and spoilage occur. For example, a careless grocery worker may puncture a can when
cutting open cases of canned food or a homemaker may drop a can and the seam damage beneath the
label goes unnoticed.
How can you tell when a particular canned
food may be unsafe to eat?
Here are some warning signs to look for both on
the outside and inside of a can. BEFORE OPENING a canned food at home,
take a second look.
BEFORE BUYING a canned food at the
grocery store, examine the outside of the can. Wrap-around labels can hide certain can defects;
if you have doubts about a canned food remove
WARNING SIGNS: its label. If the can shows any of the previous
• Severe dents warning signs or is punctured or has seam
• Extensive rust or corrosion defects, do not open it. Return can and contents
• Bulging to the store manager.
• Leaking
• Stains If a can has been badly dented or otherwise
damaged at home, it is wise to use the contents
Do not buy cans with such signs but report them as soon as possible since they might have
to the store manager. Generally, prompt action become contaminated and the quality could
will be taken to remove them from sale. deteriorate rapidly. In the event that immediate
However, if you don’t feel satisfied with the use is not possible, refrigerate the food until it
response, report the suspect product to the can be used.
manufacturer. If you still feel dissatisfied, report
it to the nearest Health Protection Branch office. Never eat contents of a bulging or leaking can as
the food may be contaminated and could cause
illness.
North Bay Office Burk’s Falls Office Parry Sound Office
681 Commercial Street 17 Copeland Street, Box 484 74 Church Street
North Bay, ON P1B 4E7 Burk’s Falls, ON P0A 1C0 Parry Sound, ON P2A 1Z1
Tel: (705) 474-1400 Tel: (705) 382-2018 Tel: (705) 746-5801
Fax: (705) 474-2809 Fax: (705) 382-2931 Fax: (705) 746-2711
1 800 563-2808 www.nbdhu.on.ca
If, on opening a can, the contents spurt out, do
not taste food. Spurting may indicate bacterial
contamination. Return product to store manager.
REMEMBER, always return canned food with
its coded end lid. Numbers and letters are
imprinted on can ends by manufacturers to help
determine a product’s history, such as which lot
it came from when it was processed, etc. This
information is vital in tracking down the source
of a problem.
WHEN STORING canned food, keep in a cool,
dry place. Stock should be used within a year to
ensure best taste and nutritional quality. If you
have a summer cottage, bring home unopened
cans at the end of each season. Once opened,
any leftover contents should be transferred to a
food grade container.
If canned foods are accidentally frozen throw
them out. The change in temperature and
expansion of contents caused by freezing may
stress the metal and cause seam damage.
If a canned food is suspected of causing illness,
consult your doctor and report the incident
immediately to your local public health unit.
Then, if possible, refrigerate some of the suspect
food and keep the can and coded end since they
are necessary in determining the cause of illness
and possible recall of suspected lots.
Remember, if you are in doubt about a canned
food, DO NOT EAT IT. Consult your nearest
Canadian Food Inspection Agency office or
local health unit for advice.
PRODUCED WITH INFORMATION FROM HEALTH CANADA
April 2006
North Bay Office Burk’s Falls Office Parry Sound Office
681 Commercial Street 17 Copeland Street, Box 484 74 Church Street
North Bay, ON P1B 4E7 Burk’s Falls, ON P0A 1C0 Parry Sound, ON P2A 1Z1
Tel: (705) 474-1400 Tel: (705) 382-2018 Tel: (705) 746-5801
Fax: (705) 474-2809 Fax: (705) 382-2931 Fax: (705) 746-2711
1 800 563-2808 www.nbdhu.on.ca