Stomach-churning reason you should never eat food from a dented can

Finding a on a supermarket shelf or in your cupboard might not seem like a big deal - but health experts say this is a red flag and you should not eat the in it as it could be dangerous for you.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned shoppers to avoid eating food from cans that are "leaking, bulging, or badly dented" as they could potentially contain bacteria that's harmful to your . This also applies to cracked jars or jars with loose or bulging lids, as well as canned food with a foul odour or any container that spurts liquid when opening. The said dented cans could contain Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a rare but life-threatening condition. These toxins attack the nervous system - nerves, brain and spinal cord - and cause paralysis (muscle weakness).

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Most people will make a full recovery with treatment, but the paralysis can spread to the muscles that control breathing if it is not treated quickly. This is fatal in around five per cent to 10 per cent of cases, explains the . The FDA said: "While extremely rare, a toxin produced by it is the worst danger in canned goods. DON'T TASTE SUCH FOOD! Even a minuscule amount of botulinum toxin can be deadly. Recommended storage times are as follows: two to five years for low-acid foods (such as meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables; 12-18 months for high acid foods (such as juices, fruit, pickles, tomato soup, and sauerkraut)."

The UK government also has similar advice, but explains that denting may only be an issue if it's particularly severe, warning: "Food should remain fit to eat if a can is dented, providing the denting of the can is shallow and there are no other obvious signs that the can is damaged. However, if the denting is deep, the can may have a hidden split, hole or break in the seal.

"This could result in a can that is no longer a reliable container. If this is the case, the food inside should not be eaten. If the denting has caused the can to rust, the food inside should not be consumed either." It added that if you purchase any cans which are visibly bulging, you shouldn't eat the food in it and return them to the retailer.

Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a medical expert at , also previously told The : "Dented tins can potentially compromise the seal and introduce bacteria into the food, leading to foodborne illnesses. However, not all dents are a cause for alarm. A small dent on the side of a tin that doesn't affect the seal or cause the tin to bulge usually doesn't pose a health risk." He added: "[...] Always use your judgment and err on the side of caution. If in doubt, it's best to avoid the risk and discard the can. Remember, food safety should always come first to prevent any health risks."