If you need a little extra space in your fridge after a grocery shop, there is at least one item you can confidently move to your kitchen cupboards without worrying that it won't stay fresh. And ketchup is one of them.
Because while it seems that plenty of people are keeping their ketchup in the fridge, the truth is, you really don't have to. Just ask Heinz.
"Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable," Heinz explained in a statement on its FAQ section. "However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening. Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening."
If you've got a sweet tooth and happen to be a fan of ketchup, then you might want to learn how to make these ketchup truffles:Lauren Feingold, culinary and nutrition expert, and co-founder of SHANTI protein and energy bars advised consumers to refrigerate their ketchup based on how frequently they use it.
She said: "The question that you have to ask yourself is, 'How frequently do you use ketchup?' If you love ketchup on your daily eggs and eat a lot of burgers and fries, then you can probably leave it on your kitchen table, much like at a diner. People that use their ketchup more sparsely may choose to refrigerate to ensure longer shelf life."
"Another way to think about which condiments need refrigeration is to consider the items you see on tables in restaurants and diners," Feingold added. “Common condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce are all regularly kept on the table, so don’t feel the need to refrigerate yours.”
If you're often stuck on which condiments to refrigerate, a rough guideline you can use is placing items in the fridge if they contain dairy, vegetables, and fruits. But if they contain vinegar, sugar, salt, and alcohol, it's most likely unnecessary.