Kind Of Embarrassed to Post This But....

[foxxyroxie]

I haven't cleaned my basement pantry out in ages and did so this past weekend (I mainly use my kitchen pantry). I have several cans with rust on the top. The seal seems ok, but the cans look really ugly. Are they good yet? Should I keep them or toss them? I have set them aside rather than put them back on the shelves.

Thanks for any opinions!!

[Darlene]

How old are they? If they aren't old & are NOT bulging they should be ok. I would open them from the other end. (the unrusty one)

[FrugalMomof3]

I agree, and I was thinking the same thing... make sure you open it from the unrusty side.

[homesteadmamma]

If they are rusty, I wouldn't open them. They must be QUITE old and there is always a chance you might get rust or contaminants in the food when you do open them (especially considering you say the cans are very ugly on the outside).

[Sari]

I'd probably clean off the rust (use some Coke) and see if it infiltrated to the inside of the cans. If it's not past the expiration date, I'd probably use them. Then again, I don't know if there's a "rule" against it or not.

[dcompton]

If it were me, I would weigh the cost of "several" cans -- it probably isn't much unless it's Russian caviar or French truffles! -- against the risk, however slight, of contamination, and probably toss them. A dent doesn't bother me, but a gross looking, rusted can would. But probably this is being overly cautious. Just my particular area of squamishness....

[Karla]

Personally I'd toss them, its just not worth taking the risk.

[canadian gardener]

toss, don't even think twice.

It's not worth the risk.

People can lose their lives with botulism and the canned food industry warns, if it's dented, rusty or bulging or has an obvious leak, don't touch it, dispose immediately.

I have nursed patients with food poisoning and I don't care how much you might "save", it's simply not worth the risk.

Save your life first, and your health.

Next point, is that cans do have a time limit. Old in good shape can still be edible, but it may not be that nutritious anymore.

My mil taught me a trick, which I don't bother with anymore because I have pretty good turn over, I put the new cans to the back, but it goes like this

Use the last 2 digits of the year. so if you buy a can this year, mark it 07 using a sharpie or other permanent marker, on the lid.

rotate your stock, use the older cans first but NEVER in rusty, dented, leaky, or otherwise suspect condition.

Rats and mice are in a lot of warehouses, and you should be washing or wiping off the lid of any can before opening it. (and preferably if wiping, not with a dishcloth that has been in use longer than 24 hours). Some consumer group I was watching on TV was recommending this because of the possibility of mouse and rat urine and feces from the warehouse environment, on the lid, in microscopic flecks, getting in when opening the tin, and contaminating the food.

Do I do that? Nope --not as long as the top looks clean and dry. I noticed the last few years that most of my case lot cans come shrink wrapped in plastic.

[UPSyours2]

I found this info! I have some other links "somewhere in my PC" which I can't locate now, maybe it's in my desktop one!

DH made me toss out a whole bunch of canned foods when we moved, since my pantry in the apt. was huge I stocked up alot! While moving into our house we left most of the canned items outside covered on the deck since there wasn't much room inside. He said w/all the temperature changes from being outdoors in the freezing cold weather he wouldn't trust the foods in those cans. I thought it would be fine since the trucks travel in all sorts of climates delivering them to the supermarkets! None of them were dented, rusted, bulging.

I always check the inside of the cans making sure they are nice, clean & shiny before I use the food! I have found one a few years ago w/the date not expired & having rust inside, but not on the outside, except for the side seams was a bit!

http://www.choice.com.au/viewarticle...tid=100008&p=1



Q: I found an old can of peaches at the back of the cupboard. Is it OK?

A: If the can is still in good condition — no rust, corrosion, dents, holes or swelling — it’s probably fine. Some canned foods can last for years, though planning to use them within 12 months will mean you’ll eat them at their best (and baby foods should be used within 12 months). The older a can gets the more likely the contents will start to lose quality — flavour, texture, colour, aroma or nutritional value.


Q: What about those dented or rusty cans — are they OK?

A: You have to use a bit of common sense with dents — small dints in otherwise new and undamaged cans may be fine. However, cans that are damaged enough to let air in are extremely dangerous, and even a small dent could be enough to damage the seams where the can is sealed. Since you can’t tell for sure, it’s safer not to eat from a dented can. Rusting can happen when cans aren’t stored in dry enough conditions, and a small amount probably won’t damage the can enough to affect the contents. If there’s a lot of rust it’s safest not to use it. Food from a bulging can should definitely not be eaten.

[pecunierrant]

Good info. Id have tossed them, like that old saying 'When in doubt, throw it out.'

[frugalnana]

I agree, I would toss the cans.

[pepper1]

Use the last 2 digits of the year. so if you buy a can this year, mark it 07 using a sharpie or other permanent marker, on the lid.

So Margery would that be the end of 07?