What is the primary physical indicator related to the seal integrity of a home-canned jar signaling danger?
Answer
The center of the lid is bulging upward instead of being concave or flat.
When examining home-canned goods, checking the physical integrity of the container is the most critical initial step due to the threat of severe spoilage agents like *Clostridium botulinum*. The condition of the lid is paramount: a properly sealed, safe jar will have a lid whose center is concave (curved inward) or flat. If the center of the lid is observed to be bulging upward, it provides unmistakable evidence that gas production is occurring inside the jar as a result of microbial metabolism. This upward bulge signals pressure buildup and mandates that the contents should not be consumed.
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