The consumption of canned food from damaged cans, such as dented cans, is not recommended by the inspection and consumer protection agencies because of the possibility of metal contamination, which could migrate from package to food. However, it is necessary to have technical and scientific information on which to base the decision to allow the consumption of food from dented cans, especially when one considers the number of undernourished people in Brazil and the rest of the world, who do not have access to safe food. Thus in the present work tinplate cans containing dairy cream were evaluated, with three controlled conditions of denting and also non-dented cans, all stored at 35 ºC for one year. The iron, chromium and tin contents of the products, the internal pressure and the internal can surface were evaluated periodically in order to monitor the package/food interaction. After 365 days of storage in the dented cans, the food could still be considered adequate for human consumption.
dented can; corrosion; food; metals
