Question

Today at work I was getting a can of diet coke out of the machine. After I opened it and took a sip from it, this lady said, "Be careful. Someone once died from drinking out of a soda can because it had rat urine encrusted on the top on it." I looked this up when I got home and it is just a silly urban legend. So anyway, my question is...how safe is it to drink from soda cans? I mean, they store them in warehouses. Do any of you think it is not safe to drink from them, or is it no big deal? I think it is no big deal, but she kind of made me paranoid.

Someone once told me that when they are stored in a warehouse that if rats are in there then there is also rat poo ......... I have never forgotten that and I always wash the can before I open it. If it cant wash it, I dont drink it .....but thats just me.

When in doubt - check snopes.com http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/raturine.asp

Personally I never wipe/wash it off first. I'd like to- I just never think of it.

I hadn't even heard of anyone washing it off before until I saw my hairdresser clean my can one time earlier this year! It never occured to me

That's disghusting!I'm glad i don't drink soft drinks now-haven't had one in 8 yrs. After reading that,I would suggest cleaning off the can before you drink out of it or at least using a straw

i usually just clean it with my finger before opening, and then use a straw

I drink bottles usually. But when i do drink from a can if i can i wipe the top off with a damp soapy cloth. otherwise, i use my shirt or finger or something, lol ot much cleaner but hey least its my germs, lol

And i like straw too.

I don't think is that bad at all. If there was somebody died or got really sick from drinking soda cans, it was probably on the media and Coca Cola Company been out of the business a long time ago.

Hmm, I've heard that rumour too. My mum won't drink out of cans for that reason - she thinks they are dirty. You could just give it a quick wipe?

My Dad started wiping the tops of cans when he got one that had mud on it - it was at his job site. So he would take his shirttail or handkerchief and wipe cans just to clean off dirt and dust. Sometimes I do it, sometimes not...

well the whole dying from rat urine/feces is incorrect....if you consumed enough of it, yes a human could be ill, but there couldn't be enough on the top of a can. still it isn't clean, even if it's just dirt/dust/etc....if I drink from a can (rarely) I wipe off the top with a wet towel or washcloth....but if I'm at a picnic and all they have are cans, and no cups, I'll use the bottom of my shirt or something to wipe it.

No, I like living on the edge. I don't wipe the rim of my pop cans before I drink from them. I don't disinfect the shopping cart before I use it. I don't clean off the toilet seat (or put down a protective shield of toilet paper) before I sit down in a public restroom. I don't wash my hands after petting my cats. I drink water straight out of the tap and I eat my steak rare. I'm crazy that way.

I don't think it's the can that is dangerous It's the SODA that is Dangerous.

Originally Posted by Mirinae

No, I like living on the edge.

I don't wipe the rim of my pop cans before I drink from them. I don't disinfect the shopping cart before I use it. I don't clean off the toilet seat (or put down a protective shield of toilet paper) before I sit down in a public restroom. I don't wash my hands after petting my cats. I drink water straight out of the tap and I eat my steak rare. I'm crazy that way.

Click to expand...

I do a lot of the same things!