Does katsup require refridgertion after you open the bottle?

[Scribs]

So, Does it need refridgeration? My roomate and I have been having an argument about whether or not katsup requires refridgeration. Please let us know your valued knowlege.

[Nate]

I don't see why it wouldn't need to be refrigerated...I mean, it probably would spoil if it wasn't...or things would get into it.

[mitsuki lover]

I vote the other way of whichever way Scribs says it is!
I just like being ornery and by the way it's:KETCHUP or CATSUP.
*thinking of that surreal argument that Mr.Furley and Janet had in
Three's Company over Ketchup versus Catsup*

[starfire]

Put the ketchup in the refridgerator or you will DIEEEEEEE!!!!!*ahem* actually, I'm not sure if you'll die, but it's best not to find out!

oh, and in case you were wondering, it IS a vegetable!

[Alice]

It's fine to leave out.

[Shao Feng-Li]

It ought to say on the bottle.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

its fine to leave it out, resturants do so all the time

and look at ketchup packets! they're always left out on tables and counters and stuff

[Token Asian]

After you break the seal on it, yes.

[Fsiphskilm]

[indent][b

[~Natsumi Lam~]

no it doesnt.. i leave mine in the cupboard. It just gets darker... that's it.

~NL~

[Chocobo777]

Nope. Just depends on whether you like it to be cold or luke warm.

[Starfire1]

i ALWAYS put it in the fridge. 1. because i like cold ketchup and 2. because it CAN spoil and im just picky about that kind of thing.

[Chocobo777]

I think that it only spoils after a year. My nana always leaves hers in the cupboard and it last forever!

[~Natsumi Lam~]

like a twinky.....


Yucky

~NL~

[Chocobo777]

Yes... like a twinky... except ketchup probably tastes better than a twinky after long periods of time! Considering the twinky is just as old.

[starfire]

Volt, that was educational AND entertaining!

Regardless of whether or not it will make you sick, warm ketchup is nasty! Cold ketchup however is cool and refreshing!

Well, not refreshing, but it is cool!

Good question.

[Fsiphskilm]

[quote="

[K. Ayato]

no it doesnt.. i leave mine in the cupboard. It just gets darker... that's it.

~NL~

Somehow that made me lose my appetite.

[Lynx]

once you break the seal it needs to be refridgerated. as volt said, the it needs to be refridgerated to slow (or even inhibit) bacterial growth. why do you think it spoils eventually when you leave it out? thats from the bacteria that get in it. i'm a microbio major so i study such things... and i'm definatly voting on keep it refridgerated.

[Mave]

Food companies typically indicate instructions to keep opened products in a refrigeration for a good reason. It's your choice ultimately but you have to accept the consequences of that choice.

1) If you want your ketchup to remain fresh and to deliver the characteristic flavors you typically associate with what you perceive as good ketchup, by all means keep it refrigerated. This is especially important if you don't consume ketchup too quickly (i.e. a few months). The company only promises that the product will remain good if you follow their instructions.

2) If you don't care about the deterioration of taste (or maybe you like the taste of stale ketchup *shrugs* your preference, really), then I suppose it's fine to leave ketchup out. The question really now is "How long would you leave it out at RT?" If you consume a bottle of ketchup within 2 weeks, I think the product integrity remains intact. I doubt you will encounter severe microbiological problems since the acidity of ketchup is pretty high and has a longer shelf-life than something like tomato sauce. However, of course, no product lasts forever and you're going to get some amount of spoilage. The darkening in your ketchup is a sign of poorer quality but it shouldn't kill you. At least.....in theory.

Now food services have no problems leaving the ketchup out in room temperature because the turnover is high. It's most likely that a bottle of ketchup gets consumed within 2 business days. So it doesn't matter if they refrigerate it or not.

I'm refrigerating my ketchup.

[Lynx]

I doubt you will encounter severe microbiological problems since the acidity of ketchup is pretty high and has a longer shelf-life than something like tomato sauce.

that is true... but once it is opened, it is possable to get surface growth of microorganisms, and if you're germaphobe like i am, you wouldnt take the risk, and take all precautions to kill as much bacteria as possable... *grabs collection of anti-microbial products and hugs them all*

oh and just a fun fact...some micro organisms grow best in acidic environments actually... they are called acidophiles.

[Mave]

that is true... but once it is opened, it is possable to get surface growth of microorganisms, and if you're germaphobe like i am, you wouldnt take the risk, and take all precautions to kill as much bacteria as possable... *grabs collection of anti-microbial products and hugs them all*

Oh, I must have forgotten to add Option 3)

3) If you are a germaphobe, toss that ketchup into the refrigerator already! ]
oh and just a fun fact...some micro organisms grow best in acidic environments actually... they are called acidophiles.[/QUOTE]
Yup, those are among the few microbes the food industry typically use to make foods such as yogurts.

[Dunedan]

For the right taste it has to be cold.

[Kiba-kun]

you should keep it in the fridge because if you break the seal and put it back into the cover it will go moldy. I have seen this at work and its not pretty i assure you.

[bigsleepj]

It doesn't have to stay out of the fridge but it would just last longer that way. Its better that way. No, Scribs! What are you doing!! NO! NOOOOOH! PUT IT IN THE FRIDGE!! NOT THE CUPBOARD!!! Noooot the cupboard!!!! Aaaaargh!

[SigmaKnight]

I would like to Quote the Heinz website FAQ

"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."

So it seems to me as if the answer is...

Its not necessary but it is suggested.

[termyt]

Your ketchup will not spoil if not refrigerated, or at least it will not become dangerous to eat, but there could be a loss of flavor. The same can be said for mustard.

However, once the condiment is refrigerated, you should not store it out of the fridge. Once refrigerated, it must stay refrigerated.

So, does ketchup have to be refrigerated? No, but it probably should be.

[Espoir]

gah you silly silly people! its to be left out! it won't cause horrible disfigureing things to happen to you, and it tastes way better room temperature than cold! it makes your fries cold, ick! and i think it must be a northern thin to say catsup instead of ketchup... wierd. i was just talking about this with someone last week, odd...

[~Natsumi Lam~]

that is true... but once it is opened, it is possable to get surface growth of microorganisms, and if you're germaphobe like i am, you wouldnt take the risk, and take all precautions to kill as much bacteria as possable... *grabs collection of anti-microbial products and hugs them all*

oh and just a fun fact...some micro organisms grow best in acidic environments actually... they are called acidophiles.

man i better stop eating with my feet... corns dont taste nice i think they are acidic...


haha jk

~NL~

[mitsuki lover]

I perfer mine with mustard.