Well now it seems the debate has been ended once and for all, with scientists and experts stating that tomato sauce should DEFINITELY be stored in the fridge once it’s opened.
Hygiene microbiologist Dr Peter Baratt claims it’s essential to store tomato sauce in the fridge to prevent contamination, due to recent changes in the tomato sauce formula.
'No one kept tomato ketchup in the fridge a decade ago, but then it contained more salt,’ he told Daily Mail. ‘In recent years, food manufacturers have had to cut the amount of salt, a natural preservative, because of its links to high blood pressure.
'Sodium benzoate, a preservative that used to feature in some brands of ketchup, has also been dropped by manufacturers because of its links to hyperactivity in children.
'The vinegar and tomatoes in ketchup give it a high level of acidity, which slows down bacterial growth.’
But he adds that tomato sauce is ‘best kept in the fridge and eaten within the stated eight-week period.'
Heinz, one of the leading producers of tomato sauce, agree the condiment should be kept in the fridge - releasing this statement.
‘Because of its natural acidity, Heinz® Ketchup is shelf-stable,’ the statement read. ‘However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening. Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening.’
Guess that settles it, right? Or does it ...
Why you should NEVER store your tomato sauce in the pantry. EVER.
Experts have the last word on this long-running debate ...
- by
Amy Sinclair
It’s the debate that’s raged in households all over Australia for decades - do you store tomato sauce in the fridge or the pantry?
With many firmly placed in Team Fridge or Team Pantry, we’ve seen the battle flow over to social media on more than one occasion.
Said one user: ‘I could never be with someone that keeps their ketchup in the cupboard not the fridge.’ While in the other camp, another user stated: ‘If you keep it in the fridge you have PROBLEMS.’ Another warned ‘not to trust’ people who store their tomato sauce in the fridge. Harsh!
In one poll, the Telegraph News found that 67% of people kept their tomato sauce in the fridge - while another by a US supermarket chain found the split was much more even, with 53% preferring the fridge.