On 2010-07-16, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
> Is that can of beans safe to eat? This shows why it is.

Properly canned foods are extremely safe. I can't talk about the here
and now, but when I worked in a cannery over 30 yrs ago, there were no
in-can thermal probes. A different, and much better IMO, method was
employed. Cans of the actual product were taken off the line and live
salmonella and/or botulism was injected into the cans. They were
marked, sealed, and cooked, right along with the normal production.
The marked cans were then taken back to the lab and tested. If
cooking TEMPS and TIMES were correct, all toxins were killed. This
test was done on all lines for all foods more than once during the
season.

The only things that impact a safe can are a cooker breakdown which
shortens cook temps/times or compromised cans. The latter being
dented cans, usually caused by can line breakdown or when there's a
jam and cans start falling down from can tracks onto other machinery
or concrete floors. El dent a-mundo! These cans should taken off the
line and disposed of. Yes, some dented cans get past scrutiny, either
by a careless formen or by unscrupulous canneries. Ever seen a dented
can store? I don't shop at those. A small dent on the side of the
can that's not on the seam is OK, but if on that seam or a dent
anywhere on the sealing edge of the lid top, stay away. Ever seen a
can with a bulge at the ends? Toss 'em. Otherwise, a can should be
good for 5 yrs.

nb