Educator Resources for Virtual Labs: Adjusting pH of Food

Adding acidic ingredients can protect foods from dangerous toxins produced by organisms like C. botulinum. While C. bot is a common and harmless microbe in the environment, it's deadly when sealed with food in a jar. Virtual Labs: Acidifying Salsa introduces students to proper sampling techniques and familiarizes them with food science lab equipment. The interactive animation guides students through the theory and practice of adjusting pH in a real lab. Along the way, students will gain an understanding of why adjusting a food's acidity can keep it safe.