Is home-made preserved food safe? Can it be eaten if it looks normal?

Answer

It is safe if prepared with the right method; but according to the Ministry, looking normal is not on its own a guarantee. Where heat treatment is insufficient, the recipe unsuitable or hygiene lacking, the bacterium Clostridium botulinum can multiply and form botulinum toxin — a toxin that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Before opening a jar, check the lid for swelling, leakage or deformation; after opening, check for bad odour, mould, cloudiness or colour change. If any of these is present the product must not be consumed. For safe preparation, follow reliable recipes, choose sound jars and use a new lid every time.