Dr Baibing Chen warns damaged cans can cause botulism

Dr Baibing Chen, a double‑board certified neurologist and brain‑health campaigner who shares advice on TikTok and Instagram, cautions that severely damaged tinned or canned foods – such as those that are bulging, cracked or heavily dented – may be contaminated with botulinum toxin. The toxin, one of the most potent known, can block acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, leading to flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, respiratory failure and, without antitoxin treatment, death.

The Food Standards Agency notes that botulism from food is a serious illness and that the toxin is tasteless and odourless, making it undetectable until symptoms appear. Heating the contents may not destroy the toxin, so the doctor advises consumers to avoid any cans showing these signs to protect brain and overall health.