big brown horse
Hoof In Mouth
Is anyone else a little afraid of their pressure canned food? Be honest now. 
How common is botulism again?
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MorelCabin
Quilting Extraordinaire
Haha...yup...I am a little paranoid about anything I have ever canned. But I have only done tomatoes and pickles. I don't know why, but yes, I am a little afraid of my own canned food:>) LOL
It is really an illogical fear though, apparently.
I mean, it has to be much safer than the canned stuff we buy with the plastic liner in the can...
It is really an illogical fear though, apparently.
I mean, it has to be much safer than the canned stuff we buy with the plastic liner in the can...
SKR8PN
Late For Supper
Not one bit! We always check the lids fort a good seal before we open ANYTHING.......big brown horse said:Is anyone else a little afraid of their pressure canned food? Be honest now.
If it makes you feel any better........we tossed a dozen jars of last years corn salsa because we found 4 that had lost their seal. The rest looked kinda "funny" so off to the trash they went!!
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big brown horse
Hoof In Mouth
I cringe when I open my cabinet and see pints of peeled potatoes sticking up out of the liquid by an inch or two. I constantly give them a gentle shake to "moisten" them.
freemotion
Food Guru
I admit that I was at first. Especially when I shared crates of filled jars with my folks. But now I don't even think about it. Really. I eat cold meatloaf sandwiches without the slightest hesitation.
Rebecka
Lovin' The Homestead
I served my time in the restaurant game. We had a saying that I swear by to this day..When it doubt , throw it out. I am what you might call brave when it comes to canning. However, if something doesn't look right, smell right, feel right or I just have a bad case of the heebeejeebees that day for some reason, to the pigs it goes! In 2009 there were 144 cases of botulism reported in the US. If you really fear it, avoid canning proteins as they are frequently the most likely to get it. Meats, eggs, fish and the like. I can eggs pretty regularly. I eat them daily and have for some time. I will be the first to let you know if I die 
me&thegals
A Major Squash & Pumpkin Lover
Not any more
Kim_NC
Lovin' The Homestead
I'm not afraid. I've canned for 35+ years....first as a teenager with my family, and by myself as a adult. Like others, I toss anythng that's suspicious.
But most importantly, I follow recommended guidelines from the NCHFP, Extension publications and the Ball Blue Book. I don't can anything not recommended - items thickened with flour or cornstarch, dairy, eggs, squash, etc.
You would probably find this article on botulism from the CDC website helpful:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/research/bot.html
If it really worries you, you could follow this suggestion from that article. Personally, I do't actually do this since we follow canning guidelines strictly.
But most importantly, I follow recommended guidelines from the NCHFP, Extension publications and the Ball Blue Book. I don't can anything not recommended - items thickened with flour or cornstarch, dairy, eggs, squash, etc.
You would probably find this article on botulism from the CDC website helpful:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/research/bot.html
If it really worries you, you could follow this suggestion from that article. Personally, I do't actually do this since we follow canning guidelines strictly.
noobiechickenlady
Almost Self-Reliant
The first few jars I was veeeery paranoid, but it's all good now.
With practice, the confidence grows
With practice, the confidence grows
me&thegals
A Major Squash & Pumpkin Lover
Ditto to the last 2. We boil our green beans for about 10 min before eating, but that's only because I learned once that botulism will not show itself by spoilage, smell, discoloration.
I follow directions, although I occasionally stray and can up some cowboy caviar, which includes oil.
Keep things spotlessly clean, follow directions and learn for signs that things are not what they should be, and you'll be fine!
I follow directions, although I occasionally stray and can up some cowboy caviar, which includes oil.
Keep things spotlessly clean, follow directions and learn for signs that things are not what they should be, and you'll be fine!
