By launching a simple customer survey, British supermarket chain Asda unwittingly sparked a fiery online debate. The question at the heart of it: "Do you store ketchup in the fridge or cupboard?" Results showed 53% favoring the fridge and 47% the cupboard. Asda even began stocking some ketchup bottles in fridges—a decision that drew strong backlash on social media, with many users decrying refrigeration as unnecessary.
To settle the matter, Today show journalist Matt Lauer consulted Heinz's official website. The brand explains: "Due to its natural acidity, ketchup has a long shelf life. However, storage conditions after opening can affect its preservation. We recommend refrigerating this product, like any processed food, after opening. Refrigeration maintains the best quality." This advice is echoed by Dr. Rick Holley, a food spoilage microbiologist at the University of Manitoba, in an interview with Munchies.
