Q. Why must a pressure canner be used for canning meat and poultry?
A. To insure a safe product. It takes a combination of high temperature and sufficient processing time to make sure of killing bacteria that cause dangerous spoilage in canned meat and poultry. The only practical way to get the necessary high temperature is to use a pressure canner.
Q. How should meat and poultry for canning be handled?
A. Keep meat and poultry clean and sanitary. Chill at once and keep cold until canning time. (See [p. 4].)
Q. Why is liquid sometimes lost from glass jars during processing?
A. Loss of liquid may be due to packing jars too full, fluctuating pressure in a pressure canner, or lowering pressure too suddenly.
Q. Should liquid lost during processing be replaced?
A. Loss of liquid does not cause meat to spoil, although the meat above the liquid may darken. Never open a jar and refill with liquid—this would let in bacteria and meat would have to be processed again.
Q. Is it safe to can meat and poultry without salt?
A. Yes. Salt is used for flavor only and is not necessary for safe processing.