"zxcvbob" > wrote in message
...
> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>> I bought a one-pound can of crab meat at TJ on Thursday. On the side it
>> said "Do not freeze." What'll happen if, say, hypothetically kind of,
>> maybe put it outside where it's, uh, colder than, say, your average
>> somebody's deep freeze and maybe somebody could hear it sounding kind of,
>> you know, "slushy" in the can? If somebody eats it, are they doomed to
>> die? What if it's warmed up some so it's not, uh, slushy-sounding but
>> more like it's supposed to sound -- kind of liquidy-like? Is there a
>> reason for the admonition to not freeze it other than expansion of the
>> liquid and the likelihood of making the can bulge? Talk to me! I had
>> a plan for that crab that didn't involve this week!
>
>
> Freezing might ruin the texture. ;-)


Ha, the canning already ruined the texture.

>
> Seriously? They are probably scared that the swollen can will open up a
> little at the seam without being noticed; just enough to let spoilage get
> it (or to leak crab juice all over your cabinets.) Also, if you are in
> the habit of keeping frozen (swelled) cans in your pantry, how will you
> tell the difference between that and a can that's swelled due to spoilage?
>
> If the can is bulged more than a little bit, keep it frozen or use it
> right away. Otherwise, quit worrying about it (but use it up within a
> month or so.)
>
> JMHO,
> Bob
>

It probably is a issue with the water expanding. It would be a good
experiment to do with a can of cheap tuna. Just to see what would happen.
Luckily I can buy or catch fresh crab all year long.