[CholeraJoe]

There are several biologic agents that are heat-resistant, for example botulinum and anthrax spores, and S. aureus exotoxin. It takes at least 280 degrees F to for 20 minutes to kill them. Boiling under pressure is the only way to achieve those temperatures. That’s why non-acidic foods like tomatoes or other vegetables have to be canned in a pressure canner rather than a simple boiling water bath.

[dangus]

Botulinum! I said tomain, but was thinking botulinum.

Uh, CHOLERAJoe??? Hrmmm...

[blam]

" That’s why non-acidic foods like tomatoes or other vegetables have to be canned in a pressure canner rather than a simple boiling water bath."

Thanks. Excellent info that I've been wondering about.
I have a big pressure cooker for canning. I bought smaller ones at yard sales (like madd dawg) for making stills of all sorts.