When you squeeze ketchup or mustard from one of those pumps at a hot dog stand, do you wonder how old it is?

Question

I mean, it could be teeming with bacteria and you would never know it.

Answer 1

I am sure that those containers are never emptied and cleaned properly.  There is residue on the container internal walls that is probably as old as the first batch that was used.

Any health official want to test these assumptions here??

Answer 2

Ive never thought that with ketchup and mustard but i've always thought that with candy from the vending machines...but u have definitly put a new thought into my mind.

Answer 3

Ewww - now i can't eat an orange julius dog ever again.

Answer 4

of course it is and so is the hot dog and bun.  these make-shift stands are not clean and don't even have adequate cleaning facilities.  do you think the fat guy slinging dogs on that stand washes his hands after he takes a dump on his break?  i doubt it.  and those pumps are never washed.  they just keep loading in the condiments and people go and squeeze a second time even after they've taken a bite or two.

Answer 5

i never use it because other ppl also use it

Answer 6

I often wonder if some freaky~freak has lifted the lid and put something in the ketchup  or mustard>>>>Sorry, it's what I wonder...

Answer 7

I never use that stuff - I go with the little individual packets - the pump stuff could be left over from the Eisenhower administration.

Answer 8

i don't eat meat but i do eat french fries and when i go to use those for my fries i wonder the same thing.

Answer 9

I have worked at restaurants before. So,yeah the ketchup gets pretty old.

Luckily the vinegar keeps the bacteria at a  semi descent level for a while sort of.

Ewww.  I used to love ketchup before you came along ☺

Answer 10

Oh it is not old it gets used pretty fast but when they fill them up they do not clean them out like they are trained to to and who knows what kids will put in them ya obviously one of my first and last job was fast food

Answer 11

If it's old it will be discolored and dried out. If it's still fairly liquid and of a good color then the acid in the vinegar should fight off the bacteria.

Answer 12

d**n. now I do.

Answer 13

I will now...thanks for sharing that

Answer 14

no, i wonder what fell in it when it was a big open vat..  i worked at a mall and we found roaches in the relish on our condiment bar..