Condiments question: does ketchup spoil?

Question

i left my ketchup in the sun after a barbeque.

Answer 1

Once the seal has been broken/the cap removed, air enters the ketchup and decay starts. ALL food decays but we use various methods - refrigeration, freezing, airtight seals, canning, salting, immersion in vinegar- or sugar-based solutions, irradiation, vacuum packing, etc - to preserve foodstuffs for longer than they would if left in the open air. Once the seal/cap is opened, or food defrosts or gets warm, air and bacteria will spoil it. With high protein foods - eggs, cream, milk, butter, meats, etc - this decay is fairly quick. Most food packaging will tell you to consume it before a certain time elapses once it's been opened (usually just 48 hours to 4 days). Ketchup is very stable and will keep in an opened (and then recapped!) bottle for weeks or longer...but if emptied into an open container (a bowl, for example) and left out in the sun it should be thrown away. If a bottle of ketchup (with the lid/top left on between uses) was left in the sun, however, it should be fine. Maybe best to leave it in the fridge after your barbeque has finished, though. As we say in the catering trade (if you're a good chef!) "If in doubt, throw it out!"

Hope all this helps.  

Answer 2

Yes it does and yours probably has because it was left in the sun.

Answer 3

Definitely.....smells a little liek apple sauce when it goes bad.

Answer 4

any food can spoil, bacteria get in in th sir in the botle and multiply. they love warm conditions. if it was open out side theres even more chnance of bacteria being in there- dont risk it, its only a bottle of ketchup- throw it awya!!

Answer 5

Not quickly but yes. refrigerate after use

Answer 6

I don't know if being in the sun will actually cause it to spoil, but ketchup does get old and yucky after a while...if it smells ok, taste a little; if its spoiled you'll know...

Answer 7

ketchup does definitely spoil.  Leaving it out in the sun may be necessarily make it go bad.  Does it look ok-  the liquid and paste are separating, color is off?  Take off the cap and smell it.  If it looks and smells ok, I'm sure it's fine.