OSU Extension Food Safety

Canning resources OSU Extension provides reliable, useful and local research-based information on a variety of topics for urban audiences, including gardening, food preservation, beekeeping and backyard chickens.

Thinking about tweaking a canning recipe? Be careful!

Approved canning recipes are tested for safety, and even small additions or deletions can change the processing time needed to make food safe. Ingredients that thicken a recipe or create a denser consistency can prevent heat from reaching all parts of the jar, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Want to add your favorite seasonings or special ingredients? Do it after opening the jar when reheating or serving. And remember—some recipes simply taste best when made fresh rather than canned.

For safe home canning, always follow tested recipes exactly as written. For questions related to home canning, contact your local OSU County Extension office.

Food Canning Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Christi Evans, Assistant State Extension Specialist tells us why this matters?

• Canning is a science requiring tested recipes
• Safety depends on precise acidity, ingredients, and processing times
• AI-generated recipes may omit critical safety steps
Key reminders for clients:
• AI is helpful for general cooking ideas
• Do NOT use AI for canning or food preservation
• Always rely on research-tested recipes
Trusted sources:
• USDA
• National Center for Home Food Preservation
• Extension materials
As AI becomes more prevalent, helping clients distinguish between safe and unsafe uses is essential.

📢 Join us for an upcoming webinar on DUO Eligible Value-Added Foods!

OSU Extension is partnering with the Oklahoma Local Ag Collaborative and Hunger Free Oklahoma to host a DUO Eligible Value-Added Webinar on May 20th.

Learn how to create food products that meet Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) standards—without added salt, sugar, or fat—and better understand eligibility requirements.

✨ What you’ll learn:
• Overview of DUO eligibility guidelines
• Tips for producing and preserving DUO-compliant foods

This webinar is perfect for producers, food entrepreneurs, and organizations interested in developing DUO-eligible products.

🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/DUOVALUEADDED

Eggs are a big part of Easter fun, but don’t forget to keep them safe to eat!

Keep Eggs Cool:
- Always store eggs in the refrigerator (40°F or below)
- Don’t leave eggs out for more than 2 hours

Handling Hard-Boiled Eggs:
-Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
-Use within 1 week
-Keep them chilled until ready to eat

Decorating Eggs Safely:
- Use food-safe dyes if you plan to eat them
- Wash hands before and after handling eggs

Keep Easter fun AND safe because food safety matters!