7 Signs That Tell You When Your Canned Tuna Has Gone Bad
Canned tuna is a lifesaver when you're looking to prepare a dish that is fast and still tastes well-prepared — even if it doesn't look like it! However that's not the only reason they're so popular, they are long-lasting thanks to their sturdy packaging. But that doesn't mean canned tuna never goes bad; read ahead for the tell-tale signs of spoilage in such rare cases.
Encountering spoiled canned tuna always makes for an unsavoury experience and in the extremely unfortunate case that you consume the rotten tuna, you'll contract food poisoning. Did you even know that canned tuna can make you ill if handled inappropriately?
Well, now you do but you must also know that you can avoid such detrimental effects by learning how to tell if your spoiled canned tuna has gone bad.
1. Check the can for its expiration date
The easiest way to tell if your canned tuna is by its expiration date. The longer the date has been passed, the more likely it is that the tuna fish has rot. To avoid food wastage, make sure to use up the tuna before that date. There are numerous tuna recipes; find some that you love!
2. It will give off a weird odor
It may seem daunting but another easy way to tell if your canned tuna has gone bad is by taking a whiff of its contents. If it's bad, you'll observe that it gives off an unusual acidic smell; a regular canned tuna user should know the smell that we’re referring to here.
If the tuna has spoilt, discard immediately and ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect anywhere that the tuna brine might have splashed to prevent contamination.
3. It's leaking liquids
A leaking can indicates that the quality of the tuna fish is compromised and so, it has become unsafe for consumption. You just discard the tuna as soon as you find it and also clean anywhere the liquids have poured.
4. The metal is corroded
Canned tuna typically come in metal cans because they are durable. However, this doesn't mean metals can never spoil. Without proper storage, the metal will rust and become corroded, which might make your tuna go bad quicker than it should as it becomes exposed to moisture and air.
5. There are spots of discoloration on the tuna
Normal tuna fish has a pinky, light brown color when it’s fresh in the can. So, a change in the color or spots of discoloration are important signs of spoilage. However, keep in mind that brown tuna is still edible when the brown pieces are warm brown in color. In other words, the tuna will have a reddish hue while still being brown. If the tuna is dark brown with cool undertones, you should throw it out.
If you’re not used to using canned tuna and don’t know the usual color that it should be, err on the side of caution.
7. It tastes bad
Your last resort to knowing if your canned tuna has gone bad is to take a small taste. Don't worry, taking a small bite of bad tuna shouldn’t harm you! If you observe that the tuna tastes weird or acidic, spit it out straight away and throw the fish out.
Don't ever risk eating spoiled tuna, it could land you in the ER real quick!
