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 BUYING a canned food at the grocery store, examine the outside of the can. WARNING SIGNS: • Severe dents • Extensive rust or corrosion • Bulging • Leaking • Stains Do not buy cans with such signs but report them to the store manager. Generally, prompt action will be taken to remove them from sale. However, if you don’t feel satisfied with the response, report the suspect product to the manufacturer. If you still feel dissatisfied, report it to the nearest Health Protection Branch office.
BEFORE OPENING a canned food at home, take a second look. Wrap-around labels can hide certain can defects; if you have doubts about a canned food remove its label. If the can shows any of the previous warning signs or is punctured or has seam defects, do not open it. Return can and contents to the store manager. If a can has been badly dented or otherwise damaged at home, it is wise to use the contents as soon as possible since they might have become contaminated and the quality could deteriorate rapidly. In the event that immediate use is not possible, refrigerate the food until it can be used. Never eat contents of a bulging or leaking can as the food may be contaminated and could cause illness.
North Bay Office 681 Commercial Street North Bay, ON P1B 4E7 Tel: (705) 474-1400 Fax: (705) 474-2809
Burk’s Falls Office 17 Copeland Street, Box 484 Burk’s Falls, ON P0A 1C0 Tel: (705) 382-2018 Fax: (705) 382-2931
Parry Sound Office 74 Church Street Parry Sound, ON P2A 1Z1 Tel: (705) 746-5801 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 681 Commercial Street North Bay, ON P1B 4E7 Tel: (705) 474-1400 Fax: (705) 474-2809
Burk’s Falls Office 17 Copeland Street, Box 484 Burk’s Falls, ON P0A 1C0 Tel: (705) 382-2018 Fax: (705) 382-2931
Parry Sound Office 74 Church Street Parry Sound, ON P2A 1Z1 Tel: (705) 746-5801 Fax: (705) 746-2711
1 800 563-2808
www.nbdhu.on.ca