Botulism risk from anchovies in the refrigerator?
A few months ago, I opened a can of anchovies, and to avoid wasting the leftovers, I pureed it into a paste and saved in a container in the fridge, in olive oil.
The anchovies are very salty and the pH is somewhere between 5 and 6, based on a litmus test strip. It's been kept in the fridge the whole time. They also smell fine, no hint of spoilage.
But: could this be a botulism risk? The original product was commercially canned, so it was probably safe (and eating it then was fine). My understanding is that these conditions ought to prevent botulism growth, if there was even any to begin with. But since the consequences are so serious, I'd like to be sure.
Best Answer
First a little perspective. Botulism is very rare. According to the CDC in the US:
From 1996 to 2014, there were 210 outbreaks of foodborne botulism reported to CDC. Of the 145 outbreaks that were caused by home-prepared foods, 43 outbreaks, or 30%, were from home-canned vegetables.
So this is not a common occurrence. It doesn't mean we should not pay attention to potential risks, but I don't think canned anchovies are much of a concern. Add to that, the acidic environment that you report, plus the salt content, plus the fact that commercially canned anchovies are processed at a high temperature (and anchovies are not known as a source of botulism), I would say from a botulism standpoint you are safe. I can't, of course, speak to how you handled the anchovies during your processing, but if you were relatively clean, you should not have a problem. I would make sure they are not in the can, and submerged in oil.
Finally, please understand that smell is never a reliable indicator of spoilage. Many things can go wrong with food before you can smell it.
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Can I get botulism from anchovies?
Add to that, the acidic environment that you report, plus the salt content, plus the fact that commercially canned anchovies are processed at a high temperature (and anchovies are not known as a source of botulism), I would say from a botulism standpoint you are safe.Does anchovy go bad in the fridge?
Anchovies should always be stored in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. Their shelf life when refrigerated is about 18 months. If you do not plan on consuming the anchovies or paste immediately after purchasing, we recommend storing them in the refrigerator.Does refrigeration prevent botulism?
Refrigeration temperatures combined with salt content and/or acidic conditions will prevent the growth of the bacteria and formation of toxin.Can botulism develop in the refrigerator?
The toxin can form in low-acid, anaerobic (oxygen-free), warm conditions. A covered container of lukewarm stew would meet the criteria to promote the formation of the botulinum toxin. However, placing leftover food in shallow containers in the refrigerator prevents the formation of the toxin.How to avoid the risk of botulism in homemade preserves?
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