What should be done with food that has a dented or bulging can?

Food in a dented or bulging can poses a significant risk to safety because these conditions are often indicators of potential spoilage or contamination. Dents can compromise the integrity of the can's seal, allowing harmful bacteria or toxins to enter, and bulging is typically a sign of gas buildup from bacterial growth inside the can. This could result from the food within being spoiled or undergoing fermentation due to bacterial action.

Discarding the food ensures that there's no risk of foodborne illness, as consuming items from damaged containers can lead to serious health consequences. Proper food safety protocols emphasize the importance of assessing and handling food products cautiously, particularly those in compromised packaging. Therefore, it is crucial to err on the side of caution and discard any food from dented or bulging cans to protect consumer health.