Beware of 'bulging': The silent threat in your groceries
During grocery shopping, we don't always pay attention to the appearance of the packaging. Sometimes we mindlessly place products in the trolley and later consume them without much thought. However, occasionally we might encounter an unpleasant surprise in the form of "bulging."
15 December 2024 17:23
"Bulging" is a packaging defect that involves more than just aesthetics. Unfortunately, consuming a product with bulging can lead to serious health consequences. Learn how to recognise it and why it is important to be aware of it.
What is bulging?
Simply put, bulging is a defect of the packaging containing a food product. We can recognise it by the characteristic "swelling" visible on the lid or bottom. Several factors can cause it, such as a leaky package, improper storage conditions, incorrect processing, or mistakes made during the production stage.
If you're having trouble recognising it, it's worth checking if there's a "swelling," or any defect or deformation of the packaging. An additional signal indicating the presence of bulging is an unusual smell of the product. Most often, bulging occurs in ready meals, canned foods, jarred or tinned goods, and juices.
Why shouldn't you eat products with bulging?
A product showing signs of bulging is not suitable for consumption under any circumstances. This is because harmful bacteria and microorganisms are likely developing inside the package. Eating a product with this defect can result in severe food poisoning, and even botulism. The most common symptoms include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and foodborne infections, which can lead to even more severe health consequences. Therefore, if you're uncertain whether a product has bulging, it's better to discard it or report it to the store.
Additionally, to prevent this, it's good to pay attention to the packaging's appearance and expiry date when putting items into the trolley. Moreover, always store products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
