A medical expert has issued a stark warning to UK shoppers, urging them to avoid purchasing or consuming food from dented tins due to a severe and potentially fatal health risk.
The Hidden Danger in Your Kitchen Cupboard
Dr Ashley Ennedy, a specialist in environmental medicine, raised the alarm in a recent social media video. She highlighted that while dented cans on supermarket shelves might seem like a minor cosmetic issue, they can harbour a deadly danger.
"Dented cans might look harmless, but they can make you seriously sick," Dr Ennedy stated. She elaborated that damage, particularly near the seams of a can, can compromise its airtight seal. This breach allows a bacterium called clostridium botulinum to grow and thrive.
Understanding Botulism and Its Symptoms
When this bacteria multiplies, it produces a powerful neurotoxin. "Even a tiny amount of this toxin can cause botulism, which is a rare but potentially fatal type of food poisoning that affects your nerves," Dr Ennedy explained. The condition can even lead to paralysis.
The doctor provided a clear list of symptoms that everyone should be aware of, which include:
- Drooping eyelids
- Double or blurred vision
- A dry mouth and slurred speech
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing
- Weakness or paralysis of the arms and legs
- Nausea and vomiting
The most insidious part of this threat, according to the doctor, is that "you really can't see it... you can't smell it and you can't taste it." This means contaminated food will look, smell, and taste completely normal, offering no warning of the danger within.
Official Advice and Public Reaction
Dr Ennedy's final advice was unequivocal: "So if the can is bulging or dented or leaking at the lid or seams, just toss it - it is really not worth the risk."
This guidance is strongly supported by the NHS. The UK's health service states that while food-borne botulism is rare in Britain due to high hygiene standards, the risk is real. The NHS explicitly advises: "Do not eat food from bulging or damaged cans."
The warning resonated with the public online, with one TikTok user expressing concern that dented cans are often donated to food banks. Dr Ennedy acknowledged this, noting that while most centres check for damage, it is always good for individuals to double-check what they donate. She also confirmed that restaurants are regulated and are not permitted to use swollen or severely dented cans, with health inspectors actively checking for this violation.
