Check your cans!

Author : teriann

For some people, buying tinned items is as easy as picking up a few cans and dumping them in the shopping cart.

They rarely examine the product and often their only concern is checking its price.  Although the cost of the item is important, consumers must be awre of other factors to consider when making a purchase of canned items.

Danger Signs

Just as Aluminum pots and pans leak, so do aluminum cans. In fact, what most people are unaware of is that most often if the tinned item is left too long in storage it can absorb the chemicals they used to preserve freshness and taste.

These tinned products often have a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a chemical used in the manufacturing of some vinyl liners, including those found in some canned products.

It is important then to take note of the expiration date on the can.  It is never a good idea to buy an item when the product is bought after the date stamped on the can.

I also like to examine the physical appearance of the tin.  If the tin is dented or it has bulges then I avoid buying those cans. I also avoid tins which have covers that look rusty or discoloured.

Of course, some cans are dented only because they had gotten a bump or two on the journey home so if you choose to use dented cans check out the contents.

Those signs generally put me on alert because of the risk of botulism contamination.

This is a type of bacteria that thrives in a low-oxygen environments (like cans and jars) and produces a neurotoxin that can cause victims to suffer increasing loss of muscle control. Gone untreated, the illness can spread from the face to the limbs, trunk and ultimately the respiratory system — resulting in death by suffocation.

Well, that certainly sounds like a terrible way to go so be on the safe side and examine your cans. Of course not every dented can will have that bacteria but its better to be safe than sorry!

Important Tips

It is also a good idea not to eat directly from the can or reheat the contents of the can in the same container.

Don’t forget to use good judgement so if the contents of the can smells or tastes slightly unusual then it is better to discard it.

So although canned foods can be very convenient option for busy consumers, they must be carefully scrutinized to ensure that they are in good condition!

What’s your take? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

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2 Responses to “Check your cans!”

  1. I do agree with you on your suggestion about dented cans.Hope every one listen to what you have said.

  2. teriann says:

    Thanks Vernal please keep visiting the blog for more consumer news!

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