Infused Olive Oil - Ask Extension
Is it dangerous to infuse olive with garlic and other spices/herbs and store it in the fridge? If so, how long does it stay safe? Thanks!
Knowledgebase
Infused Olive Oil #325197
Asked May 25, 2016, 6:25 PM EDT
Is it dangerous to infuse olive with garlic and other spices/herbs and store it in the fridge? If so, how long does it stay safe? Thanks!
Mason County Washington
Expert Response
There is a PNW publication addressing potential safety issues with infused oils. You can find it at https://pubs.wsu.edu/ListItems.aspx?Keyword=pnw664
To answer your question, vegetables in oil present the risk of botulism poisoning, because the oil is an anaerobic medium. The botulism toxin can be produced at the temperatures commonly found in home refrigerators. The maximum storage length of time for vegetables in oils in the refrigerator is 4 days. They can be stored in the freezer if you want to keep them longer. They should NEVER be kept at room temperature, unless prepared according to the directions in the PNW 664 publication.
