This Is Where You Should Be Storing Your Ketchup, According to Heinz (2024)

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This Is Where You Should Be Storing Your Ketchup, According to Heinz? ›

In case you're wondering, Heinz previously spoke out about this, using a poll on X to call out that ketchup should go in the refrigerator. The company did say that its product is shelf-stable because of its acidity but refrigerating it can maintain product quality.

Unless you're a busy diner going through and refilling ketchup bottles every day or two, you should store your ketchup in the fridge. This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air.

The guidelines at FoodSafety.gov state that shelf-stable products like mustard, mayo, barbecue sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce and salsa will benefit from being stored in the fridge. "Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time."

A spokesperson from the company responsible for everything from sauce, to soup and baked beans told TODAY food: “The sweet spot to tap on the Heinz bottle is the 57 on the neck.” “All you need to do is apply a firm tap where the bottle narrows, and the ketchup will come out easier.”

Once you've opened a bottle of ketchup, you should keep it in the fridge alongside other condiments that need to be refrigerated. Homemade ketchup, however, because it isn't subject to the factory-sealed bottled as store-bought varieties, must always be kept in the fridge until it's time to serve it with the meal.

Heinz's American brand has previously said that its ketchup is shelf-stable because of its acidity (vinegar is the second-listed ingredient after tomatoes, which are themselves acidic) but nevertheless has advised users to keep it refrigerated after opening to “maintain product quality.” And the bottles bear the ...

Most manufacturers will encourage you to keep it in the refrigerator to maintain the intended flavor, but if you enjoy room-temperature ketchup, and eat it quickly enough that it doesn't separate or form microbes, you're safe to continue doing so.

“The sweet spot to tap on the Heinz bottle is the 57 on the neck,” a Heinz spokesperson explained to TODAY Food.

If unopened, commercial ketchup “can last for up to a year in your pantry,” says Okegbe, but once opened and refrigerated, it should ideally be consumed within six months. If left in the pantry once opened, use up the ketchup within a month to be safe.

People that use their ketchup more sparsely may choose to refrigerate to ensure longer shelf life." Ketchup will be fine for a month outside the fridge, while mustard will last for two months.

What is the Heinz 57 slang? ›

Heinz 57 is a synecdoche of the historical advertising slogan "57 Varieties" by the H. J. Heinz Company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It was developed from the marketing campaign that told consumers about the numerous products available from the Heinz company.

But a new CNN article reveals that “57 varieties” is more of a catchphrase, if anything. According to CNN, there weren't 57 Heinz varieties when H.J. Heinz first came up with the slogan in 1896. Even now, 126 years later, there are hundreds of varieties.

at the time the number 57 slogan launched and was added to the bottle in 1896. Inspired by an advertisem*nt he saw promoting 21 styles of shoes, Heinz knew he needed a slogan with the same intrigue. So, he chose his lucky number, five, along with his wife's favorite number, seven, and he married the two.

Some believe it is meant to be kept in the cool, dark interiors of a cupboard, while others are convinced it needs to be refrigerated. Beloved ketchup producer Heinz has finally addressed the age-old debate, revealing that ketchup should, in fact, be kept in the fridge.

Heinz themselves advise: "Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening.

“So, you accidentally leave an opened bottle of ketchup out on the counter overnight. Is that a food safety risk? No. But the manufacturer might have a label on it that says 'refrigerator after opening' because they want to reduce the likelihood of spoilage,” Snyder says.

Tomato sauce

Technically the 'pantry' advocates are correct, however, there's a catch. According to news.com.au, thanks to its high acidity and processing, tomato sauce (alongside other sauces like BBQ sauce and mustard) doesn't require refrigeration after opening.

Shelf-stable condiments, like stone ground mustard, red wine vinegar, strawberry preserves, and wing sauce, don't need to be as cold as other perishable foods like milk, eggs, and meat, so they can hang out on your refrigerator door.

Under-ripe tomatoes are best left on the bench to develop further, while over-ripe tomatoes can be saved by popping them in the fridge. Tomato varieties with a higher pulp to flesh ratio, such as cherry tomatoes, also tend to fare better in the fridge than fleshier counterparts like roma tomatoes.