I have extensive personal experience testing the Bear Resistant Containers made by the company of which I am part owner and I can say for sure that a hungry bear will eat anthing that smells or even looks like food, including toothpaste, bread, apples, grains, meat, candy bars, popcorn, vegetables, even aromatic items such as suntan lotion and lip balm. Even grey water from the sink (dishwashing, tooth brushing, etc) needs to be properly stored and disposed of (we iuse a grey water container and try hard to avoid spills and dumping rinse water on the ground near our campsite).
Bears habituated to and by humans are particularly problematic and it often results in them being euthanized.
As the rangers in all forests and parks advise, keep all food stuff out of sight and in secure containers.
Here is a borrowed set of recommendations that are sound:
General Food Storage Tips
Keeping human food (and other aromatic items such as toiletries) away from animals requires similar practices in both a campground and backcountry campsite. Here are some general tips:
- Never leave food, trash or other scented products inside your tent.
- Never leave your food unattended. Jays, squirrels and chipmunks can quickly snatch food in broad daylight, and other animals come foraging at night.
Food Storage in a Campground
- During the day, keep all your food secured in your cooler or car, even if you’re sitting nearby or on a short jaunt to the outhouse, and especially if you’re away on a hike.
- At night, place any loose food, plus a cooler if you have one, inside a metal bear box if there is one. Storing food inside a car can also be an option in certain areas, but you need to check with local land managers first because some areas (where bears have become adept at breaking into vehicles) prohibit the practice. Raccoons and bears are adept at opening coolers left in the open. Some cooler manufacturers claim certain models are bear-proof, though padlocks might be required. Use a bear resistant canister, if bears are a known nuisance in the campground.
If a bear gets your food it is your fault.