SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bulging-can-throw-out

A can in your pantry is bulging at the top. What should you do?

Throw it out, and don't taste it.

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The Just Right card

Too littleOpen it and give it a taste test
Too muchToss every can with any tiny scratch
Just rightBulging or leaking? Don't taste it, throw it out

Huh, didn't know that: If a can spurts liquid or foam when opened, throw it out without tasting the food.

The dad joke
I used to work in a can factory, but I got canned.
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References

Answer: Throw it out without tasting it. A swollen or leaking can may be contaminated with harmful germs or toxins. You can't see, smell or taste botulism toxin, so throw the can out without tasting it.

  1. CDC: Home-Canned Foods www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention/home-canned-foods.html
    The container is leaking, bulging, or swollen
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. CDC: Preventing Botulism www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention/index.html
    You cannot see, smell, or taste the toxin that causes botulism.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. CDC: Home-Canned Foods (spurting container) www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention/home-canned-foods.html
    The container spurts liquid or foam when opened
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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