Can You Get Food Poisoning From Canned Food?

Canned food is a convenient and shelf-stable way to have meals and snacks on hand. But can you get food poisoning from canned food?

The answer is yes, and it is important to take precautions when buying and storing canned goods.

Canned food can become contaminated with harmful bacteria or parasites, such as salmonella or listeria, during the manufacturing process. These bacteria can cause serious illness if consumed.

Canned foods can also become contaminated with botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This toxin can cause botulism, a severe paralytic illness that affects the nervous system.

The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid food poisoning from canned goods:

• Check for signs of spoilage. Before purchasing canned goods, check for dents or bulging cans, which may indicate spoilage. Discard any cans that are damaged or show signs of spoilage.
• Store cans properly. Store canned foods in a cool, dry place away from sources of heat such as stoves and hot water heaters.

  Do not store cans in damp areas such as basements or garages.

• Discard expired items. Check expiration dates on canned goods before purchasing them and discard any cans that have expired.
• Follow cooking instructions carefully. When preparing canned foods, follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully to ensure that the food is cooked properly and all bacteria are killed.

By following these steps you can help ensure that your canned goods are safe to eat.

In conclusion, it is possible to get food poisoning from canned food if proper precautions are not taken when buying and storing these items. Taking simple steps such as checking for signs of spoilage before purchasing, storing cans in a cool dry place away from sources of heat, discarding expired items, and following cooking instructions carefully will help keep you safe from harmful bacteria or parasites found in some types of canned foods.