Definitely true for garlic in oil in fridge. I don't know about the second question.

It applies to everything in oil unless they are first pickled in vinegar or other acids or pressure canned for required periods of time.

Otherwise, per NCHFP, low-acid foods can be stored in oil in the fridge for fresh use only and must be consumed within 2-3 days max. Otherwise they must be frozen.

Dave

Thanks guys, I was kind of assuming this to be true

So I assume then that fresh vanilla bean has got enough moisture that it would be considered a "low acid food"?

thanks

Question as to why you want to store vanilla beans in oil?

We wanted to make a infused Coconut Oil for baking purposes. We had a bunch of extra Vanilla Beans and thought it might be tasty that way.

k