Tins that go Bang

[whiffey]

I recently bought a tin of sweetcorn from a supermarket food hall. Ring-pull tin, on opening it there was a *very* loud bang. With botulism going through my mind, I sniffed it cautiously, it smelled fine, but nevertheless I threw it away. A second tin bought a week later did exactly the same thing. This time I ate it, reasoning that if they were dodgy half the population of Croydon would be dead already ! I reported it to customer services who showed no more than a mild interest.

Presumably over-zealous vacuum packing, but would you have eaten it ?

[andy-hughes]

I would have eaten it. It would appear that the sealing mechanism allowed an excess of air to be traped in the tin, but as this would for a vacum seal, no bacteria should be able to multiply. If it smells ok, and tastes ok, it probably is ok - and looks like you didn;t suffer any ill effects, unless you typed this on your laptop from the seat of your commode?

[aka pixi]

I would have eaten it if it smelled ok. Saying that I will eat owt except most seafood

[heathfield]

The sweetcorn wasn't from Lidl by any chance? I've had the same thing with their brand. The first time, I was like you, very suspicious, but the second time, I checked the tin before I opened it, and it's the release of a pretty serious vacuum that's doing it.

[rescuer]

It happened to me with a large can of the best-known beans. The can, was not blown (ie one end bulging outwards which is the usual sign of the contents of a tin having 'gone off') but the contents were OK. Well it happened 12 months or so ago and I seem to be OK!

The manufacturer asked me to send the empty can back for examination.

[qapmoc]

Well I suppose that depends on if the top went into the can or popped out of the can when opened, if it pulled into the can it is just plenty of vacuum and no problem, if it popped out then the food is very suspect and I would throw it away.

[roxannekisses]

http://mymindspeaks.hubpages.com/hub/BotulismWhat-is-it





You did a good thing!