In article >, "Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat" > wrote:

>(snipped)I am afraid to
> say that, by and large, the "slap a waxed paper disc on it, lid it
> and call it good" technique seems to be still the norm here. In fact,
> the book I was recommended to read by a lady in the jar shop
> purported to reveal the "best kept secrets of the W.I." (the W.I. is
> the Women's Institute for those who don't know - queens of the
> jamming and preserving ranks - amongst other things - over here for
> many years) and advised jam makers to use just that method ! Don't
> fancy a case of the possible food heebie jeebies myself, though, so
> I'll stick to doing it this way if the local Women's Institute isn't
> looking over my shoulder.

You also have to understand that our government agencies are freaky
about some things, Rachael. And there's some research that says mold
isn't good for a person - and that you can't just scrape it off and
figure you're home free. And our companies are big on CYA -- 'tis a
seriously litigious society we've become: I'll do something stupid and
then I'll sue you for everything you've got and hope to have because you
didn't TELL ME NOT TO DO IT. Our much-touted boiling water bath is
easily done and does the job of killing mold spores in jams and jellies.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> An update on 7/22/04.