Originally Posted by
rjwilder
You can only get botulism if the dent has caused a tiny pinhole in the can.
This is wrong - botulism only grows in an anaerobic environment, so it won't grow if the seal is broken, but lots and lots of other nasty stuff will.
The good part, most of that other stuff you can taste or smell (unlike botulism).
The number one concern with botulism is a well sealed container that was not processed at a high enough temperature for a low acid food (it won't form in high acid foods).