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Will Canned Food in a Fire be Safe to Eat?

Last Updated: October 21, 2010

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Discard any food that has been near a fire. Food exposed to fire can be damaged by the fire's heat, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight the fire. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe. One of the most dangerous elements of a fire sometimes is not the fire itself but the toxic fumes released from burning materials. Discard any raw food or food in permeable packaging—cardboard, plastic wrap, screw-topped jars, bottles, etc. Food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn't airtight and fumes can get inside. Chemicals used to fight the fire contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. Cookware exposed to fire-fighting chemicals can be decontaminated with soap and hot water. Cookware then should be submerged for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach per quart of water. Source: Keeping Food Safe in an Emergency

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