Ketchup is a divisive condiment, which is pretty surprising given it’s almost universally loved. Well, perhaps not loved, but appreciated at the very least.
It’s not the dip itself but the manner of storage that splits us almost as profoundly as Brexit and Ed Sheeran, and dictation from the UK’s king of ketchup has done little to heal the wound between us.
Heinz – manufacturer of the best ketchup besides that glass-jarred tomato relish stuff they sell at M&S – weighed in by saying there was ‘only ever one correct answer’.
Olivia Lennon, a Heinz representative who spoke to the MailOnline said: “We're happy to share with Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers that our ketchup has to be in the fridge.
"Although we're aware many Heinz Tomato Ketchup fans have been storing their ketchup in the cupboard, we do recommend refrigeration after opening.
"This is the best way to maintain the delicious tangy taste of our Heinz Tomato Ketchup that you know and love."
Now, before you rush off to scream in a loved one’s face that they were wrong about the cupboard all along, you might want to keep your powder dry for now.
Not because you’d be wrong to do that, but because we’ve got even more ammunition for that bandolier.
Joshua Houston, a food storage expert at What Cost, has elaborated on the risks of keeping opened condiments in the cupboard.
"Bottled sauce is hugely important when it comes to some meals, ketchup with chips is a common sight across the country. No sauce can leave some dishes tasting dry," said Houston.
"But ensure that you are storing your sauces properly, the last thing you want is to get ill from consuming something that has gone off. Refrigerating also allows you to get more for your money, as it gives you more time to finish the sauce before binning."
He explained that sauces will spoil more quickly in the cupboard, and there will be a heightened risk of mould growing on top of it when it room temperature conditions.
Mouldy ketchup is, as you can imagine, neither tasty nor healthy. It might be a good way to score a day off work in a pinch, however, although once you’ve made that bed you’ll have to lie in it. Disclaimer: FOODBible does not encourage the consumption of mouldy foods.
Not only that, but Houston warned against keeping any condiments in the fridge for longer than a month post-opening.
If in doubt, a sour taste is a sure-fire sign that it’s past its best.
Now, go forth and give those cupboard ketchup storers a piece of your mind.
Featured Image Credit: Bloomberg/Contributor/Getty Images
Rachael Davis