Warning on Retort Bags, and Retort Canning

Retort canning is a fun and new way of canning all types of foods.  Look around in your grocery store and you will see many manufactures taking advantage of retort packaging.  The bags all have a different look custom to the manufacture. 
When a manufacture orders bags they are custom built and printed by the millions. The Military  US Gov. has a green bag and Stock Pot Soups has a clear bag. Both the green and clear bags are not available to the general public.   The bags available to any manufacture or end user for homes or businesses is gold.
   
Retort bags are FDA approved for canning. Mylar bags are not! There is only one bag on the market available for home uses or small commercial food manufactures to use for retort canning.  It is gold in color flat, no gusset, in 2,4,8,and 16 oz sizes. 
Be sure the bags you are buying are gold and have this printed on them.

THIS PRODUCT IS FULLY COOKED & VACUUM SEALED. DO NOT USE CONTENTS IF UNOPENED POUCH IS LEAKING OR HAS BEEN DAMAGED.
REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING.

If you run into a reseller who is promoting bags that they claim are retort bags and they do not fit this description do not can in them.  They are most likely a very thick Mylar bag not suitable air barrier for canning as well as can be toxic when cooked in.   

Americans are innovators that is what makes this country great.  However the creators of bag materials have run extensive studies on the materials for each purpose.  Mylar was not created to be canned in nor was clear flat bags or other plastics. 

Be safe not sorry it is your family that will suffer if you cut corners and use a bag not designed for retort canning.

Retort Canning of has NO Scientific data from the FDA or USDA for home canners.  The concerns come from non acid foods such as meats!  We are expressing our experiences, but by no way are these experiences authorized data. Can at your own risk!  
As they say, "Re-Heat before you Eat" on any home canned product in glass, cans or retort for best safety practices.  
All home canning is AT YOUR OWN RISK!