ISUE Food Preservation Publications

National Center for Home Food Preservation
Advice for consumers on how to preserve foods by almost any way possible. The recipes are all scientifically valid with food safety risks evaluated and addressed. Includes judging guides for evaluation of home preserved foods for 4-H and other fairs. 

Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
This website leads to a large number of technical and consumer oriented materials. 

• Consumer Advice
  The topics on this page are arranged by food grouping and address food safety concerns associated with each type of food. Additional information is available about cosmetics and nutrition.

• Approximate pH of Foods and Food Products
  The pH and/or acidity of a food are generally used to determine processing requirements and the applicability of GMP regulations for regulatory purposes. Methods and conditions for determining the pH and acidity of foods are also summarized in 21 CFR 114.90. Methodology for pH is generally available from pH meter and electrode manufacturers.
  
  

The Bad Bug Book
This is a listing of foodborne pathogens and toxins. It is a useful resource in determining what bacteria, parasites, viruses, molds, and toxins might be found in foods.

 
North Dakota State University Extension Service
One of the best sources for publications on preserving wild game and fish (written by a Meat Scientist and Extension Specialist).

• Care and Cookery 
• Field to Freezer
• Preservation of Game Meats and Fish

Home Food Preservation Site - Pennsylvania State University
A very complete site with information about suppliers, kitchen unit converters, and includes the USDA canning guide.


The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning
This is the handbook that most of Extension uses for home canning of foods. The complete reference is available as a pdf file on the site.

Ball Blue Book
A comprehensive source for home canning information.

Iowa State University Extension Answer Line Frequently Asked Questions
 


Iowa State University Extension Food Preservation Publications

• Preserve Food Safely
• Canning and Freezing Tomatoes
• Freezing Prepared Foods
• Canning Fruits
• Canning Vegetables
• Freezing Fruits and Vegetables
• Making Fruit Spreads
• Making Pickles and Pickle Products
  

Information on canning pumpkin butter or squash purees - University of Georgia
It is not possible at this point to evaluate a recipe for pumpkin or mashed squash for canning potential by looking at it. At this point, research seems to indicate variability of the products is great, and in several ways that raise safety concerns. It is best to freeze pumpkin butters or mashed squash. The information at this web site explains why.

Retail/Institutional Food Service Food Safety and Management
Catherine H. Strohbehn, PhD, RD, CFSP
HRIM Extension Specialist
Adjunct Associate Professor
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, 50011-1121 USA
cstrohbe@iastate.edu

Consumer and Processing Food Safety and Science
Sam Beattie, PhD
Food Safety Extension Specialist
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Iowa State University Extension
122A MacKay Hall
Ames, Iowa, 50011-1121 USA 
beatties@iastate.edu

• Article History
• Revision Date: 3/18/2009