Following all instructions for washing, cleaning, and sterilizing items used in canning.Department of Agriculture in the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning Following safe home canning instructions as recommended by the U.S.If you preserve, can, or ferment your own foods, you can reduce the chance of these foods giving you, your family, or friends botulism by: In Alaska, most cases of foodborne botulism are caused by fermented fish and other aquatic animals. Some examples of foods that have been contaminated are: Contamination can happen when food is handled improperly when it is made, when it is stored, or when it is used by consumers. New sources of foodborne botulism continue to be identified.