Flavored Oil Safety

You are at the flea market/sale/fair and you see some of the best looking flavored olive oil. Unfortunately you need to resist purchasing, unless the color and/or the bottle is just so beautiful that you have to display in your kitchen.

The problem is not that it might taste awful, the problem is bacteria.

Bottles of olive oil that is infused with garlic and herbs that are not processed properly can actually grow harmful bacteria that can make you very sick.

Clostridium Botulinum Bacteria is commonly found on vegetables, garlic and herbs. In the open air this bacteria is harmless. Once it is placed in an oxygen deprived environment, like in a bottle, the bacteria can multiply and create the deadly food poison named botulism.

The FDA requires that commercially made products add an acid to inhibit the growth.

If you do buy infused oils, check to see if it is commercially made. If is is not commercially made, consider not purchasing it if you mean to ingest it. If it is commercially made, check to make sure that there is an acid in the ingredients.

You can make your own flavored oil's, but remember that no matter what you make, leave it in the refrigerator when it is not in use. Also, only make as much as you can use in 2 weeks. Date it when you put it in the refrigerator to remind you.