Ketchup is Britain's favourite condiment, according to multiple consumer surveys, often served with a full English breakfast. But despite being purchased from supermarket shelves, a long-running question remains: should an opened bottle go in the cupboard or the fridge?
Three chefs and a nutritionist have now weighed in, and their answer is unanimous.
The experts' verdict
Chefs Mike Reid, Jeremy Pang and Nima Safaei, alongside registered nutritionist and recipe development manager at Green Chef, Lily Keeling, all shared their advice. Jeremy Pang said: "Ketchup - you can get away with keeping it out of the fridge but there's something not quite right about that, especially that crusty congealed ketchup that gets stuck inside the lid. In general, with these thick liquids, keep them refrigerated please."
Mike Reid echoed that view, saying the sauce is "far better" served chilled. He added: "The cupboard's fine, but I'm a fridge man once it's open. Heinz themselves tell you to refrigerate after opening, and they'd know. It's so loaded with vinegar and sugar it won't do you any harm sitting in the pantry, but the colour and that bright, tangy flavour hold far better cold. Open it, chill it."
Nima Safaei, chef and owner of three Soho restaurants, said: "Although it's shelf-stable before opening thanks to its acidity, I always recommend refrigerating it once opened. By keeping it in the fridge, it helps preserve the fresh tomato flavour and vibrant colour for much longer. If you get through a bottle quickly, keeping it in a cool cupboard is unlikely to cause any issues, but refrigeration will always give you the best quality." He also advised: "And don't forget to wipe the bottle clean after use – dried ketchup around the lid is the perfect place for bacteria and mould to develop."
Lily Keeling said: "Once it's open, I keep mine in the fridge, not because I'm worried, it just tastes fresher for longer. I don't think there's much problem leaving it in the cupboard either."
Heinz backs the fridge
Heinz itself recommends refrigerating ketchup after opening. Olivia Lennon of Heinz Tomato Ketchup previously told the Daily Mail: "There was only ever one correct answer, and we're happy to share with Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers across the UK 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."
The Food Standards Agency advises consumers to follow the storage instructions on food labels. It adds: "Refrigeration ensures that commercial sauces and condiments stay fresh for a longer period of time. Shelf-stable commercial ketchup, cocktail sauce, and chili sauce are safe when stored at room temperature after opening." It also notes: "Quality, not safety, is the reason the labels on these products suggest that they be refrigerated after opening."
Storage expert's take
Vlatka Lake, a storage expert at Space Station, said: "Condiments like Ketchup, mayonnaise and barbeque sauce normally have a long shelf life, so if they're sealed, ensure to keep them stored in a dark cupboard or pantry location. Double check the bottle for confirmation, but they should be fine here for up to a year. If you're looking to store an opened bottle, then this needs to be kept in the fridge to keep it nice and fresh. If properly placed in the fridge, most condiments will last for up to six months, but don't forget to check the used by date to be sure."
