Why are so many refried bean cans dented?

It's an anomaly. There's no good reason for that, in general; however, the situation at that local store, may have had some clumsy grocery clerks or a bad damaged shipment at either end of the distribution cycle. Cans of any beans or any grocery item would have no more (or less) likelihood to be dented.

It must be the same person stocking the shelves for the past 3 or so years. It is the same every time I do into this store -- the refried beans are always dented.

I'd buy another brand or shop at another store, if it were me.

I can think of a remote possibility...and believe me, it's a crapshoot. This grocery gets some sort of a deal on dented cans.

The other more obvious possibility (if it's one particular brand), that mfr is using very thin-walled or somehow inferior cans that dent easily and had a bad warehouse storage or distribution system. Nothing about refried beans of themselves is part of this problem.

Logically, I'll assume you're not talking about swollen cans..due to botulism.

No it isn't - it seems funny - I would think maybe it is how these are packed, and I will check because I seem to think I've noticed it other stores as well.

I am thinking of sending a note to the manufacturer --- it is more a curiousity now - I check them thoroughly because often times these are dented.

Check the other stores if you want. I'd not waste the time to compose a letter to the mfr. If you get a reply at all, it probably will be a boiler-plate marketing letter.

My take on this is to go the simpler route. Buy another brand and/or try a different store.

Furthermore, here's a link about safety issues as to what to look for if the can is swollen due to air getting inside and details about what to look for:

http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/budgeting/safe-to-buy-dented-foods-from-grocery-store.htm

"very thin-walled or somehow inferior cans'

I agree.

Is it a specific brand that's the problem? if so, definitely contact the brand. Jeanne de Seattle recently reported (on FB) on good/interesting results when she emailed a company about their problematic cans for tomatoes.

Yeah - not sure if I should just check other brands - but I typically buy one brand as it comes in vegetian style with lower sodium than many of the others.

I am not worried about wasting time it is more a curiousity as I always go and grab one and it is dented and then another and it is too and I think damn why are refried beans dented. Did they have to travel all the way from Mexico or something? Also for trying in another store -- I just figured when I am in another store with this product I'd just test it out ....

Just kinda odd. I wrote one time to a manufacturer of cheese before and got a very nice response back - it was not form as it addressed my issue/question specifically.

Some manufacturers are good with this - others not so much.

If it's a Mexican brand, then yes, most likely.

No it is a Mexican name but the typically US company trying to make it seem so...