Do you have to keep ketchup in the fridge? If you're one of those people who keeps ketchup in the cupboard, quickly move it to the fridge! According to Heinz manufacturer and food safety expert Jabraan Ahmed, this is the only real way to preserve ketchup's freshness and flavor. Ketchup stored outside the refrigerator is a real bait for wine flies, which can leave bacteria on the lid. In addition, the low temperature of the refrigerator helps prevent the growth of bacteria. The same goes for any other egg-based sauces, such as mayonnaise and salad dressing.
Ketchup lovers often debate whether it should be refrigerated or not. So – do you have to keep ketchup in the fridge?! Heinz has now solved the dilemma - ketchup must be in the fridge. In the summer, when temperatures are higher, fruit flies often lay their eggs on moist surfaces, such as ketchup lids. Even if the midges only live for a week, they can quickly cause infections. Therefore, it is important to keep ketchup in a cool place to prevent bacteria and flies from entering.
Wine flies and bacteria: the hidden enemies of your ketchup
Wine flies can lay up to 500 eggs on moist surfaces such as food scraps, drains and garbage cans. If you leave ketchup out of the fridge, flies can leave eggs or bacteria on the lid. Despite their short life, they can quickly cause infections that are dangerous to health. The sweet and sour smell of ketchup is attractive to midges, so it is crucial to keep it refrigerated. The same goes for other egg-based condiments like mayonnaise and salad dressing.
Which foods are necessary to store in the refrigerator?
In addition to ketchup and mayonnaise, it is important to keep ajvar, mustard, dairy-based sauces, jams, salad dressings, pesto, peanut butter, kimchi and other fermented products in the refrigerator. These products contain ingredients that can spoil quickly at room temperature, and keeping them in the refrigerator ensures longer freshness and safety from bacteria.
Conclusion – Do you have to keep ketchup in the fridge?!
Storing ketchup in the refrigerator is not only recommended, but necessary to keep it fresh and prevent infections. Therefore, if you want your ketchup to remain tasty and safe to eat, always keep it cool. And don't forget about other egg-based sauces - they belong in the fridge too!
