Watch your tomato sauce

IamMrsG · ‎08-29-2010

In preparation for tonight's dinner, I needed a can of tomato sauce. I bought one yesterday.

The instant my can opener punctured the lid, there was a fizzing sound and sauce spewed out about six inches from the can. "That's odd," I thought. Well, that was nothing. When I removed the lid, the tomato sauce was bubbling like scenes of boiling lava in a volcano!

I called Hunt's right away to report it. The lady I spoke with kept insisting the can must have been damaged, that there had to be a pin hole somewhere in the can. I repeatedly told her the can was in pristine condition, the label was not stained, torn or even scratched. There was zero evidence, top, sides or bottom, of any damage to the metal. Further, I told her, when my opener punctured the lid, the spew was from built up pressure inside -- which wouldn't exist if the can leaked.

Naturally, she apologized for my inconvenience and offered coupons for more product. What I wanted from her was an offer to notify Quality Control that there may be a problem with the entire batch of their low-salt tomato sauce.

After we hung up, I poured the contents into the sink, dreading the thought of finding a dead mouse or something in the bottom. I did not <whew!>, but you should have seen the tomato sauce in my sink. No exaggeration, it flowed, bubbling and gurgling as it did, looking like a scene in a science fiction movie. I quickly rinsed it down the drain in concern it could damage the finish of my sink.

I am not posting this to malign Hunt's, rather to extend a caution to be watchful.

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.

tedEbear · ‎03-22-2015

I asked DH, he worked in a can manufacturing company. He said there might have been an unsealed section of the lid far too small for you to notice. The other thing is , some things are cooked in the can and that may have been the problem. Too hot, went to warehouse that was too hot, transport to store too hot and in the tail end, it blew up. Also, was the end of the cand bloated??? Just some thoughts. Glad you didn't use it.-----ted

IamMrsG · ‎08-29-2010

There was neither bloat, tomato stain nor anything else to signify anything was out of the ordinary. Again, wouldn't the fizzing sound and spewing of sauce mean pressure from inside? How could any minuscule hole allow pressure to build?

I suspect some sort of fermentation brewed inside the can, so can more readily accept your DH's theory about too much heat. Thank you for asking him and sharing his answers.

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

Meaning no offense, did you check the expiration date on the can?

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

Hmmm, seems very odd to me. And I'm not buying into the possibility that there was a pin hole nor an unsealed section of the can. If either were the case, there would be leakage I'm suspecting. @tedEbear I'm not saying anything against your DH but don't you think there should have been some sort of leakage?

I think I'd continue to pursue this with the Hunt's Co. If you still happen to have the can, especially the label to see if you can see/find a packing number or ID number for the batch, I'd call Hunt's back and talk to someone of more authority.

If you got a can like this, I'm guessing there are more, can't be just one in a batch.

software · ‎06-08-2016

In this case, it may have been better to report to some consumer site, or FDA or whoever keeps up with potential recalls.

There was a big recall on this product several years ago according to the FDA website. It was an inner lining problem, something you would not be able to see before you opened the can. They may be having problems again. It's shouldn't happen but I'm not surprised your experience.

Many years ago I worked for a canned pet food manufacturer. All kinds of variables can occur to cause a can failure & ruined product. Always be careful, cans can explode.

@IamMrsG wrote:
In preparation for tonight's dinner, I needed a can of tomato sauce. I bought one yesterday.

The instant my can opener punctured the lid, there was a fizzing sound and sauce spewed out about six inches from the can. "That's odd," I thought. Well, that was nothing. When I removed the lid, the tomato sauce was bubbling like scenes of boiling lava in a volcano!

I called Hunt's right away to report it. The lady I spoke with kept insisting the can must have been damaged, that there had to be a pin hole somewhere in the can. I repeatedly told her the can was in pristine condition, the label was not stained, torn or even scratched. There was zero evidence, top, sides or bottom, of any damage to the metal. Further, I told her, when my opener punctured the lid, the spew was from built up pressure inside -- which wouldn't exist if the can leaked.

Naturally, she apologized for my inconvenience and offered coupons for more product. What I wanted from her was an offer to notify Quality Control that there may be a problem with the entire batch of their low-salt tomato sauce.

After we hung up, I poured the contents into the sink, dreading the thought of finding a dead mouse or something in the bottom. I did not <whew!>, but you should have seen the tomato sauce in my sink. No exaggeration, it flowed, bubbling and gurgling as it did, looking like a scene in a science fiction movie. I quickly rinsed it down the drain in concern it could damage the finish of my sink.

I am not posting this to malign Hunt's, rather to extend a caution to be watchful.

tedEbear · ‎03-22-2015

@software----what manufacturer did you work for? Part of DH's job was kal-kan and another, COCA-COLA. ------ted

software · ‎06-08-2016

I did not work for a can company.

It was in Alabama, no longer exists!

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

@IamMrsG

If the company rep you spoke with did NOT ask for all available number codes on the can which would identify where it was made and what batch it was in, that company needs a better consumer contact staff and should show a little more concern about quality control.

I've complained to national food manufacturers two times.........once to Bob Evans because a package of 6 sausage/egg/cheese burritos turned out to contain only five, and once to the Quaker Oats people, because every bite of the cooked oatmeal I ate one morning contained rough husks that I had to spit out.

Both times, I was asked to supply all identifying codes on the packaging and where and when I had purchased it, all of which I was already prepared to do before contacting them. They were very concerned and solicitous, sending coupons and written apologies.

A fizzy can of tomato sauce, however, is in a class by itself when it comes to food quality. Good grief. Glad you didn't die from toxic fumes, or something!