I couldn't find my preferred brand of diced green chilies in any store so I ordered some from target. They just put the cans in a big box with almost no padding and some got dented Normally when I shop I check cans carefully and only buy ones without dents.

I never buy a dented can. I would be afraid of botulism.

depends on how dented and where the dent is.

a dent doesn't bother me but a bulging can does.

They're all in the middle (not close to either end). I left all the cans on the counter in case I needed to take pics and my daughter popped the dents out of some and put them all together So now, other than 2 cans that still show dents, I don't know which ones were originally dented. Target is replacing 5 so hopefully the new ones won't be dented.

Ha sounds like Amazon. At the beginning of this Covid mess I wanted spaghetti sauce and found some on Amazon. Ordered two 6 packs. They threw them loose in a big box and like you over half of them were dented. I called and pitched a fit. I never purchase dented cans. You can never tell if the dent has compromised the seal - especially if the dent is on or near the top or bottom edge.

I figure if the dent is not too deep or near the top or bottom of the can, it's ok and will use it.

You can only get botulism if the dent has caused a tiny pinhole in the can. If you open a dented can and foam or liquid spurts out of it don't eat it. Also if the food is discolored, moldy or smells horrible don't eat it. A small dent in a can is ok, but if it's a big deep dent don't eat it. I've eaten lots of food from dented cans and have never gotten sick.

I never buy a dented can. Very fearful of spoiled contents.