Calhoun County Extension Office: Food Preservation: Why Safe, Tested Recipes Matter

Calhoun County, AL – Food preservation has long helped people extend their harvests, maintain food supplies during shortages, and control what goes into their food. Of course, there have been some big changes along the way that have come about for several reasons:

1. We have a better understanding of foodborne illness and the hazards that can be associated with food preparation and preservation.
2. Some of our ingredients have changed. For instance, tomatoes today are not as acidic as they used to be.  This is why current recommendations include the addition of acid to canned tomatoes.  Also, some old pickling recipes were based on a vinegar with 10% acidity.  Modern recipes have been developed with a 5% acidity vinegar and the10% isn’t readily available these days.
3. We have a wider variety of ingredients. For example, our canning recipes for peaches are designed for yellow peaches, which are acidic. While white peaches have become popular for fresh eating, they are low-acid and cannot be safely canned using recipes meant for yellow peaches.

These are just a few of the many reasons that it’s important to use a current, tested, and verified recipe and process to ensure safety. The food that we work hard to produce and preserve should nourish our bodies and spirits, not make us sick.  Foodborne illness is miserable at best and can even result in disability and death in some cases.  The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) is a great source for current, tested and reliable recipes.

Speaking of NCHFP, they put out an interesting Newsflash for August 2025.  Many people enjoy a good pepper jelly, but it is important to use recipes that have been tested and shown to be safe. Adding peppers, or other low acid ingredients, to any canned product could reduce the acid enough to result in an unsafe product if it was not designed and tested with the inclusion.  Instead, NCHFP recommends adding a small amount (1 teaspoon or less) of flavorings or herbs for individuals who want to add a little variety to jams and jellies. You can find the full Newsflash, a variety of recipes, and so much more on their website: https://nchfp.uga.edu/