Answer Line

Answer Line FAQs

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The sealed jars of canned tomatoes I put in the pantry are now unsealed. Can I still use the tomatoes if I boil them?

No. It is not safe to use the tomatoes.

There are three primary reasons why jars of sealed food come unsealed:

Food not processed by the recommended method and for specified time
Food particles left on the sealing surface of the jar
Hairline cracks in the jar

Reference: Canning Vegetables, Pm 1044, Iowa State University Extension

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For more information, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/, email us at: answer@iastate.edu, or call 1-800-262-3804 (in Iowa) or 1-800-854-1678 (in Minnesota).