COMMON DEFECTS IN CANNED FOOD PRODUCTS By Twaambo Chuula, This week, we look at some common defects in canned food products. The Commission has been conducting random inspections in various parts of the country since 2009 to check for the quality and safety of products on the market. From the inspections conducted in the Western province, it was observed that most of the canned or tinned food products presented defects which are a matter of concern in food safety and hygiene and must be taken very seriously by merchants as well as consumers. This experience prompted the Commission to write this article to highlight the relevant defects in canned food products which the consumers need to look out for when purchasing canned food products. Canning is a method of food preservation in which the food is placed in a can which is hermetically (air tight) sealed then treated so that all particles of food reach a temperature of 1210C for at least three minutes depending on the size of the can. However, regardless of the safety assured in canned foods, any damage or defect to a can is a potential public health problem. Defective cans may leak and allow microorganisms to enter that may cause food poisoning or other significant health problems. The Competition and Consumer Protection Act No 24 of 2010 (“the Act”) under sections 49(1), states that a person or an enterprise shall not supply a consumer with goods that are defective, not fit for the purpose for which they are normally used or for the purpose that the consumer indicated to the person or the enterprise. It is imperative that canned food products with visual and/or external defects be recognized. Those containers with defects should not be sold, distributed or consumed. The defects include when a can is blown (swells), dented, rusty, holed or showing signs of seam damage, or if the contents are of wrong texture or have an unusual smell or colour. The swelling of the canned food products suggests two causes. Firstly, the swelling can be caused by the acid if the canned products contain acidic food substances such as citrus fruits. The acid can react with the metal lining which later produces hydrogen gas causing the can to swell. The swelling can also be caused by anaerobic micro-organisms which can be present in the can if it was not hermetically packaged. These micro-organisms produce carbon dioxide as they respire causing the can to swell. These microbes can cause food borne diseases such as botulism if consumed. When a can is dented or has rust, a hole or showing signs of seam damage, it makes it possible for air to enter the can. A sharp dent can cause a pinhole in the can, which could also allow air to enter. This air, combined with the moisture in the can, allows the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms cannot be killed by cooking. Consumption of this food could potentially result in botulism, a food poisoning condition which results in paralysis. In an instance when a can is opened and the contents do not conform to the organoleptic properties of food i.e. they have an offensive smell, unusual colour and wrong texture, consumers are encouraged to dispose of such foods as it is not fit for human consumption. Under the Act, retailers have the responsibility of ensuring that the canned products they are selling to consumers are fit for the purpose. This can be achieved through storing canned food products in a cool, dry and well ventilated conditions. Further, they should be examined on delivery and marked with both manufacture and expiry dates. Retailers should also ensure that once stored, canned food products should be checked regularly and the principles of stock rotation should be followed in order to dispose of products which have been identified to have the earlier highlighted defects. Finally, consumers need to take time to examine canned food products before purchasing. The consequences of not examining canned food products can be detrimental and to some extent fatal. For comments and observations or to register a consumer complaint, write to the Competition and Consumer protection Commission, P. O. Box 34919, Lusaka, Zambia, Tel: 0211 222787, Fax: 0211 222789 or e-mail: [email protected] or toll free line 5678 across all networks.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:59:11 +0000
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