How to Detect Botulism in Canned Foods

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If you’re like most people, you have canned food in your pantry. Its long shelf life makes it a food storage staple. However, canned food doesn’t last forever, and sometimes it is unsafe to eat. Canned food can even lead to a deadly form of food poisoning, called “botulism.”

Botulism is caused by the botulinum bacteria. It grows in canned foods that have been improperly sealed and sterilized. It is much more common in home-canned foods than commercially canned foods.

Do you know the signs of botulinum in canned food? This post will show you how to detect it so you can keep yourself and your family safe.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information in this post should not replace the advice of a doctor. It is intended for informational purposes only.

How Common Is Botulism?

Approximately 145 cases of botulism (on average) are reported to the CDC every year in the US. Although botulism is rare, it’s still important to know how to detect the presence of botulinum bacteria, especially if you do any home canning.

Botulism is serious. It makes you have severe symptoms that can lead to death, if left untreated. Eating food infected with this toxin can also disrupt nerve function and lead to paralysis. Symptoms of botulism occur within 18-36 hours, but can be faster.

Here are the symptoms you might experience if you get botulism from canned foods:

Blurred vision / Double vision
Slurred speech
Drooping eyelids
Difficulty swallowing
Thick or swollen tongue
Muscle weakness
Dry mouth
Stomach pain and cramping
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting

Signs of Botulism in Canned Foods

Botulinum can be present in any canned food, so it’s essential to know the signs. However, canned foods with low acidity are most affected, such as vegetables, fish, and fruit.

Canned food has an expiration date for a reason. While most people claim it’s safe to eat canned food after it has expired, the risks of botulism do go up. Therefore, always check the expiration date before consuming canned food and do not do a ‘taste test’ if you are unsure of the food’s safety.

It’s not always possible to detect botulism risks by sight, but there are often signs. Here are some things to watch out for in canned food:

Leaks, swelling, or bulges
Food discoloration
Cracks or other damage
Foamy liquid when opened
Squirting when opened
Foul smell
Rusting or dents
Loose lid
Hissing sound when opened
Bubbles rising around fruit or vegetables

We recently cleaned out my parent’s food storage. These cans were 12 years past their expiration date. They’re obviously not safe to eat. See how the cans have rusted out the bottom. This is why you need to rotate your food storage!

As per CDC guidelines, canned foods carrying signs of botulism should be double-bagged and put in an outside trash receptacle. This helps prevent children and pets from coming in contact with the toxin.

How to Prevent Botulism in Home-Canned Foods

As previously mentioned, home-canned foods are responsible for a high number of botulism cases. Therefore, if you are canning food at home, you need to take precautions to prevent the growth of botulinum.

Pressure canning is the recommended method for low-acid foods, and all home canning.

Ensure to pressure cook foods at around 250° degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on what you are canning. Additionally, be sure to boil canned foods for approximately 10 minutes before you serve them.

Don’t use a multi-cooker or electric appliance to can food at home, even if it features a steam canning or canning button over the front panel. It is not as effective or as safe as a pressure canner.

Have you ever eaten canned food past its expiration date? Do you think it is safe to do so? Leave a comment below.