Is safe canning a government conspiracy?

As many long-time blog readers know, I’m a fanatic when it comes to safe canning practices.

I’ve been canning for over thirty years, and I adore it. However there was a dark period in my canning career when I got cocky and overly confident, and jokingly called myself the Invincible Canner. As many of you remember, I got knocked off that pedestal after doing some research on the issue of canning refried beans. You can read all about it here.

That blog post, dating back to 2012, received dozens and dozens of comments … and they’re still trickling in. Last June, I received a comment to the effect that pressure canning isn’t necessary since “two to three hours in a water bath will do anything.” NO IT WON’T. I put up a rant about that comment here.

And still the debate continues. Why can’t people accept that unsafe canning practice exist? Why?

More recently I received the following comment:

“Most of you are part of the public Government Watch Dogs ready to pounce upon anyone not doing what government tells you. This is the United States of America where people have individual Rights of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness to live their life as they choose providing they don’t harm anyone else. People have preserved foods in many ways prior to your food scientists. Government is always there to interfere in that process, just like they did in the 1930’s taking your Right to Travel in a Horseless Carriage away and give you a license. That was part of their New Deal. Most of you are Sheep but you’re entitled to your opinion as I am also. Those who want to Rebel Can their food are not hurting me or you. And they have Rights also!“

I’m sorry, what? Safe canning practices are now a government conspiracy to enslave you against your will?

Look, if you want to water-bath your green beans, I’ll call you a fool but I won’t sic the government watch dogs on you (although I will feel sorry for your family members who potentially could be harmed by eating incorrectly canned food). However if you try to sell your badly canned green beans to the public, that’s illegal – with good reason. It’s a dangerous and unsafe practice.

I have very little tolerance for government interference in personal liberties, but I have no quarrels with USDA canning guidelines (read this post for a better understanding of why).

So I suppose you can claim I’m part of a “conspiracy” to prevent you from incorrectly canning your green beans. Whatever.

Happy canning.