please give examples of personal experience involving food.
Id say toss it. Botulism is very much in play here as you dont know the history of the product or much beyond that.
Ive had many different experiences with my own pickled/preserved foods, and some do strange things…mostly due to unknowns. Its really not worth listening to : just eat it or use it, when it looks like this. Almost looks like something found at a farmers market and not handled properly.
Throw it away if it’s meant to be used in a food service environment. Use at your own risk if its for home use.
