The Internet Is At War Over An Article About Whether Or Not Ketchup Should Be Stored In The Fridge

As has been known to happen now and then, people on the internet are disagreeing over something super-duper important. This time it’s over whether or not ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator or left out of the cold and just kept in a cupboard.

The correct answer is obvious, of course, but after asking some experts, the folks over at Which? recently published an article about how to store 21 popular condiments and sauces and not everyone agrees with them.

Among the items Which? states should be kept in the fridge are…

• Mayonnaise (duh)
• Pesto
• Maple syrup (what?)
• Tartar sauce

They also list several sauces that can be kept both in the fridge or out. They include…

• English mustard
• Dijon mustard
• Wholegrain mustard
• Piccalilli

And their list of condiments that should be kept out of the refrigerator includes…

• Honey (no kidding)
• Mint sauce
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Hot pepper sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ketchup

Wait… ketchup should not be kept in the fridge? (Or is it catsup? I never know.) What kind of blasphemy is this?!

It says right there on the Heinz Tomato Ketchup label, “After opening refrigerate and eat within eight weeks.” REFRIGERATE.

Their “experts” disagree.

There’s no need to keep ketchup in the fridge. Not only does it contain vinegar, but tomatoes are naturally acidic, and this helps to preserve the product in ambient (room temperature) conditions.

“Sometimes people keep ketchup in the fridge, simply because they prefer a chilled taste, but otherwise it doesn’t need to be refrigerated,” said registered dietitian Dr. Sarah Schenker.

And just like that the internet went to war.

https://twitter.com/_gwxo/status/1235540010582945792

https://twitter.com/cameroniqbal96/status/1235231264740954113

https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1235340390028500992

EXACTLY.