what is botulism?
Botulism is a form of food poisoning. It occurs when the botulinum toxin is eaten. The toxin is produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinium. It can be fatal if untreated.
how do I prevent botulism?
The botulinium bacteria are unable to grow in the following conditions:
– high heat
– high acid (low pH)
– presence of oxygen
– high sugar (low moisture)
The best way to prevent it is to heat your food. Generally boiling for 10 minutes (or longer at altitude) is sufficient.
how can I tell if my food is safe?
You can’t. The only way to tell is to test the food in a microbiology lab.
If you suspect the seal on your jars has been broken, it’s best to either discard the food or boil it for 20 minutes before eating. Mould, gas or bulging lids are all signs that the seal has been broken.
which recipes in the preserves class are at risk?
The only slightly risky preserve in this class are the ‘home dried tomatoes’
more?
For more info, there’s a good article on PickYourOwn.org
___________________________
back to: Preserve Like Your Nanna Overview
Add to my Old Favourite Recipes
Leave a Reply