If a can containing food has a small dent, but is otherwise in good shape, the food should be safe to eat. Discard deeply dented cans. ... A sharp dent on either the top or side seam can damage the seam and allow bacteria to enter the can.

Can you get botulism from a dented can?

Dented cans and food poisoning

The USDA says that while rare, dented cans can lead to botulism which is a deadly form of food poisoning that attacks the nervous system. ... Leaking and bulging cans can also be signs of compromised canned food.

Are dented cans safe to buy?

It's perfectly fine to use a can right after you've dropped it on the floor, even if it's a little dented. But you definitely want to avoid buying cans that are already dented or damaged. ... Those cans could contain a dangerous bacteria called Clostridium botulinum.