The functionality is proposed but not yet added to the game.

On the contrary many cans come with a pull handle

if you open a can with an axe there should be a slight chance for the food to become infected unless you disinfect the axe

I currently have the same problem. I run around with a can of sardines and a can of beans but can´t eat them :-/

I will note that I witnessed this with a can of baked beans

I didn't really mean this as a bug, just an important balancing adjustment, the devs are looking into it :)

Agreed or atleast make a can opener a common spawn in most resedentials.

My friend and I ran around for an hour yesterday, finding can after can, becoming more and more frantic to find something we could actually eat. We lacked a can opener, but had a bayonette, knife, wrench, pipe wrench, axe, screw-driver, and an m4 carbine - we couldn't open the canned goods :(

At last, as I'm fairly certain we were about to pass out, we found a bag of rice. Nevertheless, I would love for this to get added. Even just "Bash against tree" should be an option, albeit with potential for losing food.

Could actually open a Can of Sardines using a screwdrive,
but as its has a pull handle, I agree that would not be required.

Some type of penality could be implemented, like you bleed when trying to open without help (that already happened to me on real life Lol)

The idea of starving to death with a backpack full of food cracks me up. Smashing the can on the ground or with a tool while losing up to half the food sounds sensible.

I think using a kitchen knife, bayonet or screw driver would be suitable items that should be allowed or can be used to open cans.

I like the other ideas that people have mentioned too about the food becoming wasted and loosing some of it, or becoming infected when using something other than a can opener. Would be a good counter balance to the mechanic.

Rocket indicated today in the DayZ forum that in the next update, the knife, bayonet, and screw driver will be able to be used to open cans at the cost of degrading the item.

If you look closely, the one of the versions of the cans of sardines has a pull-tab right on it, but you still need a knife or can opener to open it

The more hungrier you get, while close to starvation, an option should pop up with witch you can choose to CRACK open in despair the damn can and eat whatever is left of the content so you don't have to starve.

I mean I would do it IRL if I ever should get into a situation like that.

Using a knife should cost like 25% of the content of the can.
Using an axe or other blunt unusual things should cost like 50% of the content of the can.
And smashing it to the ground or whatever 75%.

Just some thoughts on this...

Resolved in comments.

Functionality is to be added.