Can You Cook Out Botulism From Canned Food?

The answer is a definite maybe.

Botulism is a serious and potentially deadly illness caused by a bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, that produces a toxin. Ingesting the toxin can cause paralysis and death. It is found in soil, dust, river or lake sediment and can be found in canned foods if the food was not properly canned or stored.

Canned food can still contain the bacteria even if it has been cooked. In order to kill the bacteria and reduce the risk of botulism poisoning, foods should always be heated to at least 185°F (85°C). It is important to note that this temperature should be maintained for at least 10 minutes in order to ensure that all of the bacteria are destroyed.

It is also important to note that any food that has been contaminated with the toxin cannot be cooked out. If you suspect your canned food may have been contaminated with C. botulinum, it should be discarded immediately.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while it may be possible to cook out botulism from canned foods, it is not always guaranteed as there may still be some residual bacteria present even after cooking. It is best to discard any cans that may have been contaminated with C. botulinum as cooking will not destroy the toxin produced by this bacteria.