One person's can-opening test showed that judging canned food by sight and smell alone can be risky.
A best-by date that has passed doesn't automatically mean the product is unsafe, but visible damage to the packaging can be a serious warning sign.
Here's what to know
Some of the cans featured in the TikTok video from Lauren (@totesma_gotes) seemed fine at first, even though their best-by dates were 2013, 2016, and 2020. The bigger problem Lauren showed by opening several old canned foods was exterior damage: Cans that were bulging, rusted, leaking, or dented around the rim hissed or sprayed, even though the contents "looked and smelled fine."
@totesma_gotes Let's look inside these bad cans of food! #food #cooking #family #fyp ♬ original sound - Lauren
"Cans should not hiss at you," Lauren said.
Treating every can as trash the moment it passes a best-by date could mean throwing away food that is still usable if the container remains intact. Keeping cans that are visibly compromised, though, can lead to spoiled meals, wasted ingredients, and illness.
One commenter summed up the message memorably, writing: "This was really informative! Don't eat cans that fight back."
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More background
The examples suggested that the printed date mattered less than the can's condition: One older can from 2013 looked normal after opening, while another with clear swelling and pressure hissed immediately, making spoilage the bigger concern.
Throughout the video, Lauren repeatedly pointed to dents on the seal or rim, bulging tops, rust, and leakage as warning signs. One can "popped" and sprayed liquid even though the food inside still looked normal, while another had no visible exterior damage but smelled off once opened.
Lauren also said acidity is another factor to consider when looking at pantry items, noting that foods such as tomatoes may spoil faster than something like pumpkin puree.
What can be done?
Checking cans before buying, storing, or opening them can help catch problems early. If a can is bulging, leaking, badly rusty, or dented at the rim or seal, throwing it away is safer than risking a meal that could make someone ill.
The video's message was not to trust appearance alone when food "looks fine." Lauren warned that "botulism has no smell. No smell, no taste."
"This is why it's so important to know what you're looking for with cans, because that will make you sicker than a dog," the creator added.
Where can I learn more?
Food safety concerns go well beyond dented cans and hidden spoilage, including recalls and warnings involving food across the board.
• Del Monte recalled nearly 200,000 cans of Target green beans over a critical production issue.
• The FDA expanded a frozen shrimp recall after radioactive cesium-137 contamination raised alarm.
• The FDA warned that an avocado water hack can invite dangerous bacterial growth.
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