Rust in salt, is it safe?
I bought a small tin of Jacobsen Sea Salt which is all the rage in Portland, Oregon. I left it in my back pack for a few weeks and when I took it out and opened it up I am noticing some rust from the tin on the top of the salt flakes around the edges.
Is it still safe? It's not that much but its still concerning.
Best Answer
Rust is iron oxide. The body needs some iron. We all drink some rust from pipes.
To be toxic the only number I found is 200 milligrams per kilogram is lethal. But I have a degree in chemical engineering and I am not sure what they mean by that.
As for iron the lethal dose is about 45 mg / day.
Just saw the picture - not enough to hurt you.
Pictures about "Rust in salt, is it safe?"
Quick Answer about "Rust in salt, is it safe?"
While it would be safe enough for me, I'd avoid the rustiest bits on the basis of flavour. Either pick out the obviously orange bits and discard or spoon the clean salt out of the middle. Either way (and even if you decide to eat it as is) transfer the salt to a clean dry container made of something more sensible.What will happen if you accidentally eat rust?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ingesting rust in small amounts will not harm your health (unless you have a rare disease called hemochromatosis, which causes your internal organs to retain iron).Is it safe to eat rust?
When iron combines with oxygen, it forms iron oxide, or rust. Rust forms on the surface of iron and is soft, porous and crumbly. It flakes off as more and more rust forms and eventually the iron crumbles away. Rust is not a food safe material so it should not be ingested.Can rust make you sick?
Is it harmful to get rust on your skin? Rust is made up of a combination of iron and oxygen atoms. This compound, a type of iron oxide, isn't known to be harmful to humans if it comes into contact with your skin. Having rust stains on your skin doesn't pose any health risks.Can salt cause rust?
Rust. The negative aspect of using road salt consists of rusting. Road Salt is corrosive and creates a chemical reaction from when water and air are combined, which damages the metal of your vehicle. The repeated use of salt exposure can cause rust build-up to your car's exterior and hydraulic brake system.DOES VINEGAR AND SALT REMOVE RUST
More answers regarding rust in salt, is it safe?
Answer 2
While it would be safe enough for me, I'd avoid the rustiest bits on the basis of flavour. Either pick out the obviously orange bits and discard or spoon the clean salt out of the middle. Either way (and even if you decide to eat it as is) transfer the salt to a clean dry container made of something more sensible. Packing it in a steel tin might look nice but it's not ideal for storing salt.
Answer 3
Funny. I was just searching about this as I have the same tin of Jacobsen Salt with a little rust. It's too good not to enjoy. Should be fine, as the last commenter mentioned, just avoid the most obviously orange ones, the rest should be great.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Artem Beliaikin, Monstera, Brett Sayles, Erik Mclean