Dented Cans and Food Safety: When to Keep or Toss One

You find a dented can in the pantry or notice one at the store. Does every dent mean the food is unsafe? No. A small, smooth dent on an otherwise sound can is different from a deep crease or damage near a seam. The key question is whether the can’s sealed container may have been compromised.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says food in a can with a small dent should be safe if the can is otherwise in good shape. It advises discarding deeply dented cans, especially when a sharp dent affects a seam. FDA also advises consumers not to buy cans dented along the top or side seams. These checks can help you avoid waste while treating damaged packaging seriously.

A quick check: where is the dent, and how deep is it?

Before opening a can, look over the top, bottom, and sides in good light. Find the seams: the rolled rims around the top and bottom, and the vertical side seam on cans that have one. Then check the dent’s shape and depth.

Small, smooth dent away from a seam: If the can is otherwise intact, with no bulging, leakage, or other warning signs, USDA says the food should be safe.
Deep dent: USDA describes a deep dent as one you can lay a finger into. Deep dents may have sharp points or creases. Discard the can.
Dent on a seam: Discard a deeply dented can if the dent affects a top, bottom, or side seam. The seam is part of the closure; damage there may allow contamination.
Sharp crease, puncture, or cut: Do not use the can. Any opening or sharp deformation that may have damaged the metal or closure is a reason to discard it.

This is a practical screening rule, not a way to inspect the inside of a can. If you cannot tell whether damage is deep or affects a seam, choose another can or discard the questionable one.

Don’t use a can that is bulging or leaking

Bulging, swelling, or leakage are stronger warning signs than a minor body dent. Do not buy or eat from a can that is swollen, leaking, or otherwise looks abnormal. FDA says a bulge may mean dangerous bacteria are growing inside, and that a damaged seam may have let bacteria in. USDA FSIS lists leaking, bulging, and badly dented cans among containers that should never be used.

Foodborne botulism is rare, but the botulinum toxin can be life-threatening. A swollen can does not prove that botulism is present; it does mean you should not take a chance by opening and tasting the food. The CDC says you cannot see, smell, or taste the toxin, and even a small taste can be deadly. Never use taste or smell as a safety test for a suspicious can.

Other reasons to reject a can include a seam with rust, a hole, a lid or base that has become loose, or damage that suggests the package has been opened or repaired. Light surface rust that wipes off is not the same as heavy rust: USDA says heavily rusted cans may have tiny holes, while removable surface rust alone is not serious. If rust is inside the opened can, do not eat the food.

What if the dent happened after you brought it home?

Use the same inspection. A small, smooth dent away from a seam, with no other damage, is generally not a reason by itself to throw away the food. If the can hit a hard edge and now has a deep crease, a sharp point, seam damage, a leak, or a bulge, discard it. You cannot establish safety by checking whether the can still looks sealed from a distance.

If you are unsure, don’t open it to investigate. Put it aside so no one uses it, and discard it safely. If the can was recently purchased, you can also contact the store or manufacturer about a refund or replacement.

At the store: choose intact packaging

When shopping, inspect the can before putting it in your basket. Pick one without bulges, leaks, deep dents, or dents along a seam. FDA specifically recommends avoiding cans dented along the top or side seams, and cans with rust along the seams. This applies at regular grocery stores as well as discount, surplus, and salvage shops.

A discount does not change the condition a package needs to be in. FDA notes that some surplus food can be safe when it has been handled properly, but badly dented or roughly handled cans can create conditions where bacteria may grow. Don’t buy a can that looks swollen, leaks, or appears resealed or repaired.

If a suspicious can is already open

If you opened a can and liquid spurts or foam comes out unexpectedly, or the food looks abnormal, do not taste it. Set it aside and keep children and pets away. Avoid splashing or touching the food. Follow local guidance for disposal; when botulism is a concern, CDC’s advice is to throw the food out and never taste it. If anyone may have eaten food from a suspicious can, contact a medical professional or poison control promptly and explain what was eaten and when.

Do not pour suspicious food into a sink or feed it to an animal. Keep the container closed if possible and place it where people and animals cannot reach it while arranging disposal. If you suspect a product defect or illness, save the brand, product name, lot code, and purchase details if you can do so without handling the food further; you can report concerns to the store or manufacturer.

Does the advice differ for home-canned food?

This guide focuses on commercially packaged metal cans. Home-canned food has additional risks because safety depends on the recipe, processing method, equipment, and whether the jar seal held. CDC advises discarding home-canned food when the container is leaking, bulging, swollen, damaged, or abnormal, and says never to taste food to check its safety. If you are uncertain whether home-canned food was processed using tested instructions, do not eat it; consult CDC and the National Center for Home Food Preservation for specific handling and disposal guidance.

The takeaway

You do not have to treat every dent as proof that canned food is dangerous. A small, smooth dent away from the seams on an otherwise sound can is generally considered safe by USDA FSIS. Deep dents, sharp creases, and damage to a seam are reasons to discard it. Bulging, leaking, punctured, or badly rusted cans should never be used, and suspicious food should never be tasted as a test.

For more on food packaging, read our guides to BPA in canned foods and PFAS in food packaging. Toxic Scan can help you understand ingredients listed on packaged foods, though a label scan cannot assess whether a can’s seal has been damaged.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 25). Home-Canned Foods. CDC.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Surplus, Salvaged, and Donated Foods. FDA. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). Shelf-Stable Food Safety. USDA FSIS. Retrieved October 12, 2026.