Why Is It Dangerous To Can Vegetables At Home?
Canning is one of the best ways to preserve food for later use. Foods that perish quickly can be stored for a longer time by canning. However, sometimes canning can prove to be dangerous. This is because the canned food might be unsafe and unfit for consumption.
This can happen due to botulism. Yes, botulism is a serious threat to food items that can even lead to difficulty in breathing, muscle paralysis, and sometimes even death. This mostly happens to canned food, therefore canning can sometimes turn out to be dangerous.
Botulism happens due to the spores in most food items, especially vegetables, which multiply and grow due to improper storage of the cans. Another leading factor of this can be low oxygen levels, low acidity, and temperatures between 40 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things You Need To Know
- The toxin that causes botulism cannot be determined by smell or appearance, but even a small bite of the food can cause serious health effects.
- To avoid botulism, always go for the correct canning procedure. Take precautions and store the food in adequate storage conditions.
- If you find a change in the odor or appearance of the canned food, immediately throw it away. Do not consume spoiled food.
How Safe Are Canned Vegetables?
Canned vegetables are mostly safe and fit for consumption. It is quite uncommon for canned food to contain bacteria, be it commercially canned or home-canned. Nevertheless, you should always check a can before opening it.
Damage such as cracks, dents, or leaks is the first impression of food contamination. This can simply mean that even if the canned food has been kept in hygienic conditions, it might have been exposed to harmful germs.
Is Home Canning Healthy?
Yes, home canning is healthy. Canning locks a major part of the nutritional value of the food, therefore the food stays healthy anyway. Along with this, it also preserves most of the minerals, fat-soluble vitamins, protein, fat, and carbohydrates in unaltered amounts.
While home canning is healthy, you should also keep a check on the storage properties of the food. Proper storage is necessary for the food to maintain its healthiness. Therefore, always make sure the storage place is cool and dry.
What Does Botulism Look Like?
Botulism occurring in foods is dangerous. The harmful bacteria in home-canned food can cause life-threatening symptoms such as trouble breathing or swallowing, dry mouth, facial weakness, and blurred vision.
You will know if the canned food has undergone botulism or not. This is because botulism in food is noticeable due to its odor. Yes, while the food might seem relatively well, you will know that there is something wrong with its smell.
Things To Do To Prevent Botulism From Home-Canned Food!
When you are canning food at home, follow the following tips to prevent botulism:
- Always follow the canning instructions carefully and especially take care of the timings of jar preparations. This is very important to maintain the food value. Use tried and tested recipes if you are unsure of safe canning.
- Never mess up with the use of all the necessary equipment in the canning process. Use the ones that are specifically mentioned in the guide to avoid any mishaps. This will also keep your canned food safe.
- Use specified canning techniques for different types of food items. For example, use water bath canning techniques for high-acid foods and pressure canning techniques for low-acid canning foods.
- If you notice any difference in the stored container, such as building, cracks, or discoloration of the food, immediately through it out as it might be botulism. Sometimes, you cannot even sense the odor, so be careful.
- Lastly, if you have opened a canned food and are unsure if you can finish it within the same day, it is preferable that you immediately refrigerate it. This will prevent any food spoilage and keep it safe for some more days.
