Has anyone else had this problem?

[pcrowder]

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering - should I just take the high acid foods (like pineapple) out of their cans and re-can them into jars from now on? I have ALOT of canned tomato products, and now I'm getting really concerned. I had one can of crushed pineapple do the same thing a couple of months back, but figured maybe it was an old can that had found it's way in with the newer ones. I couldn't check the expiration on the can as the metal where the expiration was stamped had been eaten away by the pineapple juice. But now, with the tomato juice, I'm really worried. Any ideas?

[pcrowder]

ooops - part of my post disappeared

[pcrowder]

Okay - I'll try it again!

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I stocked up about 3 months ago on a bunch of cans of tomato juice - the local grocery store had a big sale, and they were moving them cheap. I went down to the pantry today, and have discovered that on several of them, the tomato juice has eaten through the can where the bottom is attached to the sides, and it has leaked all over the pantry shelves. I know that everyone is told that store-canned goods will last YEARS past their expiration date (these were NOT by any means close to expiration!!!), but now I'm concerned that high acid products may not even make it to their expiration date due to eating through the cans.
Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering - should I just take the high acid foods (like pineapple) out of their cans and re-can them into jars from now on? I have ALOT of canned tomato products, and now I'm getting really concerned. I had one can of crushed pineapple do the same thing a couple of months back, but figured maybe it was an old can that had found it's way in with the newer ones. I couldn't check the expiration on the can as the metal where the expiration was stamped had been eaten away by the pineapple juice. But now, with the tomato juice, I'm really worried. Any ideas?

[gregabob]

I'd re-can them.

[pcrowder]

Yeah, I think so. I cross-posted the question to the canning section, and everyone who responded said they thought the cans may have been frozen in transit. So, when things calm down a bit in another 2 wks, then I'll just open them all up and heat 'em up and w/b them all. Better safe than sorry!

[leera]

Aside from doing what you can to save the rest from going bad,I would also write to the manufacturer and complain,Stating exactly when you bought them,and what happened.

Also explaining to the store manager might be a good idea,if it's happening to you,it's likely happening to others who bought the same items.

What often happen where I work,is the delivery is filled on friday and left sitting in the trailer all weekend,in the winter we get lots of lost product because of freezing .In the summer all the candy tends to come in melted. :-/

[pcrowder]

Leera:
Yeah, when I get time after 01/15, I'll try to sit down and write the manufacturer. Unfortunately, we're so rural here that they'll just say it wasn't their problem and move on, as will the store manager. Everyone will point the fingers at everyone else. But, it's good to know that's most likely what it was. And, I've noticed the candy melted in the summer, too. Oh well, guess we should be happy that there's still candy to be had!

[MNMOM]

You might try e-mailing the company and telling them about your dilemma.

I've only complained twice to a company about their product and they have in turn sent me coupons for a free product to replace the one that I complained about.

[leera]

I've done that too,and gotten a reply with coupons for free replacement items.

Most recently from Healthy Request.......I bought one of those Fresh Mixers to try,figuring it's bound to be better than a frozen dinner for work....I bought a sesame chicken one,and when I opened it to mix it in the rice,it was BEEF.

They sent me an apology letter and a coupon for a free one.

[Bootz]

I don't store canned high acid foods anymore. I store jarred sauces, but otherwise I stick to dried high acid foods.

I would never spend time and money on food that is already passed it's prime. I'd toss it and try writing the manufacturer or just look at it as a lesson, better learned now, than during a famine.

[pcrowder]

The tomato juice was not past it prime, not even close. The local grocery store sometimes buys some things and prices them really cheap to get you into the store. This was one of those. We like tomato juice, and I figured it would last awhile. Knock on wood, no more bad cans so far. Haven't had time to re-can them yet.

[tomato204]

If the tomato juice has eaten thru the can it has dissolved part of the metal in the can, which is gonna be in the juice now. I'd throw out any leakers, or feed them to animals, or even compost.
I notice you said 'down to the pantry" is it in the basement? Is it damp there? Could be the rust started after you got them home or was not noticeable, then while stored in a damp place, it grew.