A neurologist has warned that damaged canned foods pose a serious health risk, potentially causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death. Dr. Baibing Chen, known as Dr. Bing on social media, highlighted the dangers of consuming food from bulging, cracked, or severely dented cans.
Why damaged cans are dangerous
In a video from May last year, Dr. Chen explained that such damage is a red flag for botulinum contamination. He said: 'If a can is bulging, cracked or severely dented, that's a red flag for botulinum contamination.' The bacteria produces botulinum toxin, one of the most potent toxins known, which blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, preventing the brain from signalling muscles to move.
This can lead to flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, respiratory failure, and death if left untreated with an antitoxin. The toxin is tasteless and odourless, making contamination undetectable until symptoms appear. Heating the food may not destroy the toxin.
UK safety standards
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) describes foodborne botulism as an illness from consuming food containing C. botulinum toxin, often due to improper canning, preservation, or cooking. Due to rigorous UK food hygiene standards, the risk of contracting botulism from domestically purchased food is low. The FSA supports Dr. Chen's advice, urging people to avoid food from bulging, heavily rusted, or deeply dented cans. If you are unsure about proper preservation, packaging, use-by date, or storage, do not consume the food and discard it.
