Yes, it about Ketchup?

Question

I know this is kinda silly, but my sister and I have been having this argument for years. I refrigerate my ketchup after opening. She says its not needed and most people don't do it. I say shes wrong. So we have decided to let the Y/A! Community decide. With that said:

Do you refrigerate your ketchup?

Answer 1

Yeah, it does say on most bottles that it should be kept refridgerated :)

Answer 2

yes, you should always refrigerate your ketchup. bactaria will grow on ketchup not refrigerated after it is opened. tell your sister you are right.

Answer 3

Directly from the Heinz website:

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.

Answer 4

It even says on the bottle to refrigerate it !!!!     It also has high levels of vinegar and salt which are preservatives but it also has a sugar which ferments.

I keep all of the above in the fridge, but I think that ketchup is the only one that requires it. The tomatoes in ketchup can start to ferment and make it taste "off". In warm weather, it can actually explode when you open it.  

So yes...you need to refrigerate it.  If you say that diners keep it on the table and it doesn't need to be in the fridge..remember...they  have a very high rate of use ..and it isn't out there THAT long!

Update...with all that said...here it is from the Heinz site...

Because of their natural acidity, both Heinz Ketchup and Heinz Dijon Mustard are shelf stable. However, product stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. Therefore, we recommend that these products, as with any processed food, be refrigerated after opening. Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening.

Answer 5

I Do And Sometimes It Taste Better Like That

Answer 6

I like to refrigerate it because I think it tastes better.  Alot of restaurants leave their out and it's ok, but not if it's going to be outside.  I used to own a concession wagon and the hot sun would make the ketshup taste funny.

Answer 7

yes, its mostly sugar and tomato, so i would say it will spoil eventually, but its pickled tomato so it will take a little time.

almost anything with veggies or fruit in it can't hurt to be prolonged by keeping in the refridgerator.

Answer 8

Yes, it needs to be refridgerated after it is opened. You are right and she is wrong.

Answer 9

just looked a ketchup bottle does not say to , but i always do it makes the flavor better and it will last longer. to me if you leave it out it gets runny and funny tasting, the longer it is out the worse it gets

Answer 10

Eventually, everything spoils (caused by bacteria and/or  fungi). The only thing that your refrigerator does is cool the ketchup which slows the spoiling process down. That's how it works for everything. People leave their apples out, but they spoil eventually. People put their meat in the freezer, but it spoils eventually.

Restaurants can leave their ketchup out because it gets used up so quickly that it doesn't have a chance to spoil (usually!).

A better question would be: Is it "ketchup" or "catsup"? That's what I want to know!

Answer 11

Ketchup doesn't NEED to be refridgerated...

BUT, I do... just so it is with the other condiments.

Answer 12

YES put it in the fridge. Sorry to your sister - she is wrong!!