Warning! Canned Drinks Could Be Hazardous to Your Health!
Canned drink lids consistently rank among the top 10 dirtiest items on the Hygiene Council's list. We explain why this is so alarming and what you can do about it.
As the weather warms up, most of us reach for a canned drink to cool down — but few of us are aware of the danger lurking on the lid. Based on its research, the Hygiene Council has stated that "rats and insects wander across the tops of canned drinks stored in warehouses, looking for food, and naturally leave their droppings behind."
In fact, a woman in the United States died after drinking from a canned beverage. The autopsy revealed that she had died from exposure to rat urine residue found on the tin can. Sadly, many people have fallen ill for this very reason without ever knowing the cause.
What Should You Do?
Of course, all canned drinks go through a surface cleaning process at the factory before they reach shelves, but this is not sufficient. It is essential that we thoroughly clean the can before opening it. Lather it up well with dish soap, rinse it off, wipe it dry with a paper towel, and only then open the lid.
Make sure the can is in good condition. Never use cans that are rusted, swollen, dented, or otherwise damaged. A swollen tin can in particular may be a sign of contamination due to improper sterilization — it can swell if there is a hole or puncture on the surface. If the can is damaged, the inner lining that prevents the metal from coming into direct contact with the liquid can tear, causing the metal to oxidize. That oxidation then mixes directly into the drink. Unfortunately, this is precisely why poisoning can occur.
We wish you healthy days...
