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Unexpected swelling in a sealed food package can signal gas production, temperature abuse, or loss of package integrity; do not open or taste it to decide whether it is safe.
Unexpected bubbles, pressure, fizzing, or gas in ordinary refrigerated leftovers can signal fermentation or spoilage; unless the food is intentionally fermented, discard it rather than tasting or reheating it to test.
Ketchup can darken gradually after opening as tomato pigments oxidize and the product ages; color change alone is often a quality issue, while mold, gas, swelling, leakage, or an off odor are reasons to discard it.
Commercial mayonnaise can separate from freezing or emulsion breakdown without being spoiled, but an opened jar still needs refrigeration; mold, gas, off odor, contamination, or unsafe temperature history are reasons to discard it.
Small sediment or salt-like crystals in soy sauce can come from natural solids, concentration, or storage changes and are not automatically spoilage; mold, gas, contamination, or an abnormal odor are different reasons to discard it.
The gelatinous strings or sheets called the mother of vinegar are a mass of yeast and bacterial cells from vinegar fermentation and can be normal in unfiltered vinegar; they are not the same as fuzzy mold.
Brown sugar hardens when it loses or redistributes moisture; a hard block is usually still usable after softening, while insects, mold from contamination, or an unusual odor are separate reasons to discard it.
Chia seeds should smell mild and neutral; a persistent paint-like, bitter, stale, or otherwise rancid odor suggests oxidation, while dampness, mold, or insects are separate reasons to discard them.
A bulging can or jar lid is a serious warning sign of gas production, spoilage, or loss of container integrity; do not open it to smell or taste the food and do not try to salvage the contents.
Light surface rust that wipes off can be cosmetic, but heavy rust, pitting, holes, seam damage, leaks, or rust inside the opened can are reasons to discard the food.
A small shallow dent away from seams may be cosmetic, but deep dents, sharp creases, or damage on the top, bottom, or side seam can break the seal and are reasons to discard the can.
Sugar crystals in jam usually come from excess or incompletely dissolved sugar or from overcooking and are a quality defect, not spoilage by themselves; mold, fermentation, or moving bubbles are different warning signs.