Tomato soup tin explodes in man's face, slicing open his nose

A tin of tomato soup unexpectedly exploded in the face of Dick Lanyon, a farmer from Boort, Victoria. The sharp metal lid sliced through his nose, causing a deep wound that required medical treatment. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, though similar incidents have been attributed to bacterial contamination leading to gas build-up inside the cans.

Dick Lanyon first noticed an issue last Wednesday night when he heard an explosion in his kitchen. Upon investigating, he found tomato soup spraying up the back of his cupboard and a tin with its lid blown off. The following day, he discovered another Heinz Big Red tomato soup can with a noticeably swollen bottom. Worried about another potential explosion, he tried to dispose of the can in his rubbish bin, resulting in the lid slicing open his nose. The tomato soup mixture left him covered in both the liquid and his own blood.

After consulting with a doctor, Mr. Lanyon's nose was repaired, but he now has a lasting aversion to soup tins. He decided to throw out all his other soup cans and expressed disbelief at the occurrence, noting that he couldn't find an expiry date on the cans, which were likely three to five years old.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand stated that the shelf life of canned food depends on whether the cans are stored in a cool, dry place. Consumers are advised to check canned foods for signs of damage, such as swelling, leakage, rust, dents, or damaged seams. Any food found in such damaged cans should not be consumed.

Despite his injuries, Mr. Lanyon remained positive and did not intend to file a complaint with Heinz. He expressed relief that the explosion didn't hit him in the eye, which could have caused much more severe damage. Mr. Lanyon urged others to inspect their pantries for bulging or damaged tins.