[nkozyra]

That's specifically why I said "medium term." Your example articles actually do not refute this, so you were either being disingenuous or you didn't read them very well. From the first:

"Unrefrigerated garlic-in-oil mixes can foster the growth of clostridium botulinum bacteria, which produces poisons that do not affect the taste or smell of the oil." Keyword 'unrefrigerated.'

From the second:

"when stored in the oil under ideal conditions, it can support the growth of botulism. Ideal conditions happen when improper home canning practices or improper preparation and storage of fresh herb and garlic-in-oil mixtures take place, according to a report from the University of California, Davis." Keywords 'improper preparation' and 'improper home canning practices.'

From your third article: "Garlic in oil should be made fresh and stored in the refrigerator at 40 °F or lower for no more than 7 days. Package in glass freezer jars or plastic freezer boxes, leaving ½-inch headspace. " Keywords 'no more than 7 days,' and '1/2 inch headspace' (this is for the oxygen).

The odds of getting botulism from keeping garlic in oil in the refrigerator in a non-airtight container for a few days is infinitesimally small.

Improper canning greatly increases the odds. Time greatly increases the odds. Nowhere did I suggest garlic in oil was safe in perpetuity.

[medstrom]

Not contradicting you, but I feel you focus too much on defending yourself. This is just HN. The important thing is people know to be wary of keeping garlic oil (even in a squeeze bottle) for a week plus. The rest of the facts (or who's technically right) are relevant to very few readers.

[nkozyra]

Sure, but here are the facts:

1. Very few things should be kept in the refrigerator more than a few days due to risk of contamination. Garlic and oil is recommended no more than seven days

2. Under normal refrigeration, to it's fine to keep garlic and oil in a non airtight container, as supported by the above links

I didn't suggest any longer term storage and the idea that I'm espousing something dangerous is somewhat silly given those facts.

[medstrom]

I actually disagree with #1. I've kept food for months without issue. Like, eggs can be good for about six months past the use-by date. Yogurt for one month past. I bake bread dough and let it rise in the fridge for up to 14 days (lends it a nice alcoholic flavor). C. botulinum is just an especially nefarious threat because it won't make the food smell bad: an invisible poison.

[nkozyra]

Well given I said "very few things" I can't see the disagreement.