Many people enjoy making and handing out homemade creations from the kitchen as holiday gifts. The thought and effort that goes into this gesture is one that people truly seem to appreciate, and the experience of creating your own gift for loved ones is fulfilling.
Among some of the most popular food items to gift are jams and jellies. However, canned food gifts may present a greater risk for foodborne illness than other homemade gifts, like baked goods. If you plan to give jam or jelly as gifts, the following tips are recommended for safest practice:
Tips
- As with all food preserved at home, follow recipes only from reliable sources such as Extension, the USDA Guide to Home Canning, or So Easy To Preserve.
- Include the source of the recipe so that your gift recipients will know that the recipe and procedure followed are from a reputable source
- Always label and date
your jars, so that it can be discarded as needed
- Include storage and handling instructions (such as stating to refrigerate after opening), or how long something will keep.
If you are the recipient of a homemade food gift, review the information found here to help you determine whether your gift is safe to consume. Some items that are home-canned in jars are never safe to consume, such as breads, cakes, and chocolate sauces.
