What kills Clostridium botulinum?

Heat is the primary method for killing botulism toxin, requiring boiling for 10 minutes or cooking at 185°F (85°C) for a shorter duration, but heat-resistant Clostridium botulinum spores require much higher temperatures, such as a pressure canner reaching 240 250°F (121°C), to be destroyed. Freezing and acidic conditions prevent growth but do not kill existing spores or toxins.

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