Frequently Asked Questions : Canned Goods

I purchased a can of tomato juice and the can was dented. Is it safe to drink the juice? When I opened a can of tomatoes, it made a hissing sound (or spurted). Is it safe? (product was more than 2 years old).

When tomato products become overage, they can wear down the enamel that coats the inside of the tin causing hydrogen to be present. This can cause swelling of the can and hissing, or release of gas when can is opened. Recommended not to use product.

Spurting of product on opening indicates that contents are under pressure due to build up of gas. This could mean fermentation is taking place. Do not consume contents.

Is it safe to eat canned goods that have frozen? What about canned goods left in a RV over the winter?
Canned goods that have been frozen, with the exception of fish and seafood, can be eaten after they have frozen as long as they are consumed right away. Do not allow the canned goods to thaw and continue to store.
It may be unsafe to consume canned goods that have been stored over winter in an RV. Depending on weather conditions, cans may have thawed and been refrozen several times.