What is the point of a garlic press?

[mkaylady]

When you leave garlic in oil, you risk botulism.

It's Your Health - Garlic-in-oil [Health Canada, 2009]

I read this whole thread over again and I am still unclear on one thing: is it all right to chop garlic and leave it in the oil for a vinegarette as opposed to leaving the whole clove in? Or is it not good to put garlic in oil at all? Or, is it OK if there is vinegar in it too (in which case that is what I do so it should be all right)?

 

[Andy M.]

You can make a salad dressing with oil and garlic. The botulism issue rears its head if you keep it for more than about ten days. Chopped or whole wouldn't change that.