Is It Dangerous To Eat Cloudy Canned Peas?

At-home food canning is a hobby that many people currently love. Canning vegetables and fruits at home help preserve the food's freshness and taste. They also contain fewer additives than store-bought canned foods. Often, store-bought canned foods contain high amounts of sodium, added sugar, and artificial preservatives (via Healthline). Other chemicals, like food coloring, may be added as well. These artificial additives may pose a health risk to those with existing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Canned peas can be used in various recipes from casseroles, pasta, and fried rice, to eaten simply as a side dish (via Gleaners). When opening a can of peas, you may notice that the liquid inside the can appears cloudy or murky. There are a few reasons why this may occur. Before you take your canned vegetables to the next level, determine whether eating a cloudy can of peas is dangerous. 

Cloudy peas are safe to consume as long as they are prepared according to USDA procedures (via Healthy Canning). The murky appearance results from the pea's starches that leach into the canned liquid. According to Oregon State University, these starches will settle in the can over time.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that spoilage in canned foods is rare, but it does occur. Bloated cans may indicate that the canned food is spoiled. However, that isn't always the case. Spoilage usually occurs from the overgrowth of microorganisms that develop from leaking or punctured cans or under processing (via FDA). According to Oregon State University, when bacterial spoilage occurs, the food becomes soft and the liquid is murky. Discard these canned foods immediately.

According to The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes, peas have more starch than other vegetables, yet they are nutritious. Starchy veggies, such as peas, are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals (via WebMD). Peas are an excellent source of vitamin B6, A, C, K, and fiber, and they are a nutritious plant protein (via Medical News Today). The U.S. Department of Agriculture also says that one cup of peas contains 8.6 grams of protein. Peas are also a vegetable that contains a high amount of carbs per cup, having an impressive 25 grams.