dkrTinned foods are a convenient and typically affordable option, but one doctor is now cautioning against consuming canned food under certain conditions. NHS surgeon and author Dr Karan Rajan, who boasts millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok, regularly offers useful health advice.
The doctor also often debunks, or verifies, claims made by other users on these platforms. In a recent post, the doctor explained why we should “throw out” certain tinned foods.
Dr Rajan reshared a video a woman had posted, in which she revealed she had bought a four-pack of tinned soup, only to discover most of the cans were dented upon removing them from the outer packaging, Dr Rajan advised: “If you have dented cans, here’s what to look for to know if it’s safe to use. Look for dents on the side seam. These are usually covered by the label, so make sure you peel it off to inspect it carefully.”
He further noted that if there is a dent on the side that “doesn’t involve the side seam” of the can, or cause a sharp, pointy edge, the food inside should still be safe to consume. However, Dr Rajan warned that dents creating a sharp, pointy edge could result in a small hole which “compromises the can”, and in such cases, he urged people to dispose of it.
The doctor continued, explaining that dents involving the top seam of the can render the entire product unsafe. Small dents which “don’t encroach the seam” are safe, he said, and a dent “so deep you can lay a finger on it” also “sounds safe”
“If a can looks like it’s been crushed, throw it away. Also bin it if it looks like it’s about to explode”, Dr Rajan advised. He clarified that not every single dented can needs to be discarded but added: “If in doubt, throw it out”.