Is this marinated olive oil safe?

December 17, 2020 9:01 AM

I bought a bottle of this marinated olive oil in June, and used some of it (so it’s been open), and stored it in my pantry. Should I be worried about botulism??

I hear all the time about garlic in olive oil being dangerous, but this is a commercial-ish product, so it’s probably safe, right? But maybe not.

posted by hapticactionnetwork to Food & Drink (5 answers total)

I wouldn't hesitate to use it. (That's an interesting use of the word marinated.)
posted by emelenjr at 9:34 AM on December 17, 2020 [6 favorites]

My understanding was that the danger was with making these infused oils yourself where you aren’t removing all of the moisture from the herbs, allowing pathogens to grow. I’ve never heard of store bought infused oils being dangerous.
posted by vanitas at 10:36 AM on December 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

My understanding of this issue is that the oil will allow anaerobic bacteria to grow unless there's an acid present. Is there?
posted by HotToddy at 12:23 PM on December 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. This document, from AustralianOlives.com.au has a section on infused olive oils:

"While these products are safe if refrigerated, they represent a
potential food poisoning hazard unless certain basic precautions
are taken in their preservation.

This fact was unfortunately highlighted in Canada and the
United States in the 1980s when two serious outbreaks of botulism
occurred in which chopped garlic in oil was clearly identified as the
source of botulism toxin. Botulism is a rare disease, particularly
in this country, but because of its severe, debilitating symptoms
and relatively high mortality rate remains a major hazard in home
preserves. "
posted by lulu68 at 12:36 PM on December 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

(I remember vividly the botulism outbreak associated with stored-out-of-the-fridge garlic in oil at a White Spot restaurant in Vancouver BC in the 80s).
posted by lulu68 at 4:19 PM on December 17, 2020