Do you really have to refrigerate ketchup?

Mar 15, 2003
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Odd question considering my melodramatic posts about my life falling apart but, do you really have to refrigerate BBQ sauce and ketchup after opening them? I always forget to throw them back in but wonder if they can really go bad..
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
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I never used to refrigerate ketchup. I'm still alive. My gf makes me refrigerate it now. I hate cold ketchup.
 

Amorphus

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2003
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Ketchup is plenty organic - tomatoes can grow fuzz, but I dunno what the vinegar content will do to prevent molding.

BBQ sauce I keep outside anyways... :confused:
 
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: werk
I never used to refrigerate ketchup. I'm still alive. My gf makes me refrigerate it now. I hate cold ketchup.

Yeah, my ex-gf used to piss me off by throwing away the ketchup everytime I left it out for a few days...
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
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I refrigerate both catsup and bbq sauce, because I like both of mine cold.
 

azazyel

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2000
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Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: werk
I never used to refrigerate ketchup. I'm still alive. My gf makes me refrigerate it now. I hate cold ketchup.

Yeah, my ex-gf used to piss me off by throwing away the ketchup everytime I left it out for a few days...

Cheers to that
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
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i usually refridgerate salsa (IIRC it says to on the lid) but ketchup i am not sure about.
i THINK it says to refridgerate on the bottle, but i could be wrong.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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It is acidic enough to prevent most growth, but not all growth.
 

samgau

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
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I don't believe it needs refrigeration.... it stays on the store shelves weeks if not months at room temperature.... but my wife likes to refreigrate it... go figure...
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: samgau
I don't believe it needs refrigeration.... it stays on the store shelves weeks if not months at room temperature.... but my wife likes to refreigrate it... go figure...

That's because it is vacuum sealed. Once the seal is broken oxygen is readily available for growth.
 

mandala

Senior member
Dec 24, 2003
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There are many things that can be kept on store shelves for months without refrigeration, because it's been sterilized and sealed (so the bacteria can't grow). Once you open it, all bets are off.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: mandala
There are many things that can be kept on store shelves for months without refrigeration, because it's been sterilized and sealed (so the bacteria can't grow). Once you open it, all bets are off.

They have not been sterilized. They have been processed in order to reduce microbial load and growth.
 

Bekker

Golden Member
Sep 6, 2000
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I would imagine that mold might eventually form, but look at how many restaurants leave it out all day and night.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Originally posted by: Bekker
I would imagine that mold might eventually form, but look at how many restaurants leave it out all day and night.

restaurants generally go throught a whole lot more ketchup than most people, but yeah, it takes a long time to go bad. same with mustard
 

deejayshakur

Platinum Member
Aug 7, 2000
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just do an experiment with two bottles, one left in and one left out. the one outside will start turning a dark red while the refrigerated one will stay cherry red. i don't like dark ketchup. catsup!
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
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Normally have it in a cupboard for as long as it takes to finish, doesn't suffer. Don't leave it "out" though.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
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Originally posted by: azazyel
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: werk
I never used to refrigerate ketchup. I'm still alive. My gf makes me refrigerate it now. I hate cold ketchup.

Yeah, my ex-gf used to piss me off by throwing away the ketchup everytime I left it out for a few days...

Cheers to that

I know exactly how it is, my gf makes me throw everything away that she thinks is bad even if it does not have the remote chance of being bad.
 

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
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From Heinz:
Should ketchup be refrigerated?
Because it is a very acidic product, ketchup does not spoil easily. Once opened, in order to maintain the product's quality more effectively, we do suggest that ketchup (and any other processed food) be refrigerated after opening because refrigeration retards spoilage.

Link
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
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When you go to restruants they don't do it and it has never made me sick, I don't think its needed but I just do it out of habit.