I found something in my canned salmon that looks like glass – what is it?
On rare occasions, a natural crystalline structure may form in canned salmon. This is magnesium ammonium phosphate, commonly known as “struvite”. These naturally occurring crystals are considered harmless, although their similarity to glass is understandably alarming to the first time observer. To check if your crystal is struvite instead of glass, simply simmer the crystals in vinegar for a few minutes. Struvite will eventually dissolve, while glass will not. For more information on struvite, you may wish to read the Food Products Association’s article at: http://www.fpa-food.org/content/consumers/crystals.asp .
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