Chapter 22 · Pantry and cooking without power
22.7 Dented, swollen, or rusty cans
USDA rules:
| Condition of the can | What to do |
|---|---|
| Small dent in the body, can is firm | Generally safe |
| Deep dent, or any dent on the seam (the top or bottom edge or the side seam) | Throw it away |
| Bulging or swollen, lid that moves when pressed | Throw it away unopened |
| Surface rust that wipes off with a cloth | Not serious |
| Heavy rust, or rust on the inside | Throw it away |
| On opening: forceful spurt, foam, odd smell, cloudy liquid | Do not taste it; throw it away |
| Can that touched floodwater | Salvageable if intact: see chapter 6 |
| Can that froze and swelled | Throw it away |
