Experts have finally revealed where you should keep your tomato ketchup.
The new research – conducted by Which? – is set to bring an end to the age-old fridge or cupboard debate.
Maybe…
While many believe the popular condiment should be chilled in the fridge to preserve its life, others say it makes no difference and keeping your bottle of ketchup in the cupboard is fine.
So where do you keep yours? And are you storing it the right way?
Well, those of you who keep your ketchup in the fridge are apparently doing it needlessly, as all refrigerating does is make it chilled.
Which is fine if you like to dunk your chicken nuggets and chips into a cold tomato sauce, but otherwise it’s just taking up space in the fridge.
Read more: This Morning viewers say Holly Willoughby looks like she’s going “to a funeral” in her sombre outfit
Experts have confirmed that it is perfectly safe to store your ketchup in the cupboard – even once it has been opened.
The fridge keeps it fresher for longer once it’s opened. Anyone who doesn’t do that is rancid.
The claims come despite Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottles telling customers: “Refrigerate once open.”
Experts say the naturally acidic tomatoes and vinegar contained in the condiment help to preserve the item at room temperature.
However, one fan of keeping their ketchup in the fridge said that anyone who didn’t was “rancid”.
However, there was one word of warning – once opened, it should be eaten within eight weeks.
Dietitian Dr Sarah Schenker told Which?: “Sometimes people keep ketchup in the fridge, simply because they prefer a chilled taste, but otherwise it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.”
“The bottle states, after opening, refrigerate. Use within 8 weeks. It’s not rocket science, tells you on the bottle!!” said one irate fridge fan.
Read more: Yankee Candle launches new Easter candle that smells “just like Mini Eggs”
Another added: “Hasn’t hurt me. I keep it in the fridge and have done for years.”
Keeps it fresher for longer once it’s opened. Anyone who doesn’t do that is rancid.
— Lady COVID19 (@Mysterious1si) March 4, 2020
Utter bulls**t! These experts clearly don’t read the labels – “refrigerate after opening”. I’ve always put mine in cupboard (unopened) & then in fridge once it’s been opened.
— Jane_FH 🕵🏼♀️👩🏼💻🧩💻📚🗂🇬🇧 (@jane9668) March 4, 2020
People who put ketchup in the fridge cant be trusted… they’re the same people who put toilet paper on backwards too
— Chris (@420gamerguy) March 9, 2020
Some were on the side of the humble kitchen cupboard, though.
“Historically, when most people did not have fridges, food was preserved by pickling in vinegar, so difficult to understand why nowadays refrigeration would be deemed necessary!” said one.
Brown sauce, mint sauce, honey, mango chutney and pickle can also all be kept in the cupboard, while things such as mayonnaise and salad cream should be stored in the fridge.
This is because these products usually contain egg and keeping them chilled reduces the chances of bacteria growing inside the bottles.
Head to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know where you keep yours.