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Dented Cans and Botulism

The disease botulism is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. People can be infected by eating contaminated canned foods, meat or vegetables.

  1. Damaged Cans

    • Externally damaging a can cannot increase the risk of botulism poisoning if bacteria is anaerobic, which means it cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. If the can is damaged and air seeps through it can have a negative effect on the bacteria. If the toxin is already present air will have little to no effect. Still it is wise not to use contents of a can which has a bulging top or appears otherwise to have damage from the inside.

    Toxin

    • If the toxin is already present, damaging the can to allow the flow of air will have little to no effect on it. If the bacteria is exposed to air it will revert to its harmless spore form.

    Disease

    • There are three types of botulism: adult, intestinal, and wound. Adult botulism occurs when an individual ingests Botulinum toxin. The bacteria is not present in the intestines in adult botulism. Intestinal botulism occurs when an individual ingests the bacteria; this type predominantly appears in children but can also affect adults who have changes in their intestinal composition. Wound botulism occurs when botulism spores fall into an open wound.

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