Retort Bags vs Mylar for Canning

How does one know if they are buying actual retort bags designed for canning or Mylar bags not designed for canning? 

Although big companies have retort bags made in any size, color, shape they desire.  For those of us buying just the few hundred for our own personal use, there really is only one bag consistently on the market you can be sure is designed for retort canning.    The bag has this writing on it. It is gold and comes in 2oz, 4oz, 8oz, and 16oz no gusset, a basic flat pouch.

All other products you should ask for the specs from the seller.  There are many sellers now a days pushing foil bags in all types and colors as retort.  The concern here is chemicals in the bags that will be released with the extreme heat.  Retorts are BPA and chemical free.  Also the air barrier properties of the bag will most likely be far less than that of retort pouches thus lessening the storage time and increasing the spoilage ratio. 

Be careful when you buy if the bags do not have this FDA printing. Ask for the exact specs and information certifying it as a retort canning bag before using it. 

Retort Canning of non acid foods has NO Scientific data from the FDA or USDA for the home canner. Can at your own risk! We are expressing our experiences but by no way are these experiences authorized data.

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!