Do sauce packets have to be refrigerated?

Q: How long is a sauce packet good for?

Kraft Heinz spokesperson Lynne Galia says you dont have to refrigerate ketchup packets because they are a shelf stable product. They have a shelf life of about 9 months, she says via email.

Kraft Heinz says an unopened ketchup packet will last about nine months, and it doesn't have to be refrigerated. Wikimedia Commons

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Ketchup Packet FAQ
How long is a sauce packet good for?
Do soy sauce packets need to be refrigerated?
Can soy sauce packets be left out?

There are two types of people in the world: ketchup-packet hoarders and non-ketchup-packet hoarders. Before you non-hoarders judge us hoarders (also known as survivalists), think about whose car you'd rather be in if, say, you ran out gas in the Mojave Desert. The car that might sustain life for a few weeks from stale french fries and ketchup packets (and other interesting edibles) or the one that's spick-and-span clean? Exactly.

Unfortunately, even survivalists know that, despite being impermeable to light, air and moisture, the contents of those ketchup packets won't last forever. There's no "sell by" date on individual packets — that's listed on the big box the packets come in. And besides, "sell by" and "use by" are very different.

So just how long do ketchup packets last?

Kraft Heinz spokesperson Lynne Galia says you don't have to refrigerate ketchup packets because they are a shelf stable product. "They have a shelf life of about 9 months," she says via email. After that, though, the ketchup still probably won't harm you if you eat it because of those long-lasting ingredients like vinegar, tomatoes, sugar, salt and spices; but it probably won't taste like the best ketchup you've ever had, either.

To be sure you always have the best-tasting ketchup, use your five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. (We also suggest using that sixth, equally important sense: common sense.) If a ketchup packet looks weird — like it's 8-months pregnant with a baby ketchup packet, the ingredients have separated or it's dark red in color — chuck it. If it smells weird, has a strange texture or tastes off, toss it. The bottom line is if the ketchup seems at all iffy, even if it's only been under the seat of your car for a few weeks, don't risk it, no matter how much you want ketchup on those fries.

As they say, one man's trash, IS another man's treasure. But eventually, even survivalists have to part with their treasures, including those hoards of ketchup packets.

Originally Published: Aug 5, 2019

Ketchup Packet FAQ

Should ketchup packets be refrigerated?

You don't need to refrigerate ketchup packets.

How much ketchup is in a packet?

An average ketchup packet contains 1.25 ounces of ketchup.

How many carbs are in a ketchup packet?

Ketchup packets contain the same ingredients as a full bottle of ketchup, just in a single serving package. It should include the same nutritional data as a single serving from the bottle.

Why are ketchup packets so small?

Ketchup packets are designed to be single servings, so they contain just a small amount of the condiment.

Can you buy ketchup packets?

You can find ketchup packets online. Food suppliers or restaurant supply stores may also sell packets.

Admit it: If you open your glove compartment, chances are Taco Bell hot sauce and McDonald's ketchup packets will come spilling out. Those little packets always add up, and people always seem to forget about them until they hit a critical mass. But when should you really just throw them all out?

Though nowadays, some fast-food joints keep their condiment packets behind the counter, you can just ask for more and they'll be happy to provide. Though it's tempting to hoard little packets of soy sauce from your Chinese takeout order, you might want to think twice about how long they stay in your fridge.

According to Atlas Obscura, the packets lose flavor over time, and they all do have expiration dates—they're usually just listed on the massive box sent to fast-food joints, not on individual packets. There is no official list of rules from government groups like the Food and Drug Administration. But since the condiments are tightly sealed to keep out light, air, and humidity, they're designed to last for the long haul. But how long, specifically?

How long is a sauce packet good for?

Kraft Heinz spokesperson Lynne Galia says you don't have to refrigerate ketchup packets because they are a shelf stable product. "They have a shelf life of about 9 months," she says via email.

Do soy sauce packets need to be refrigerated?

Soy Sauce Just like fish sauce, soy sauce is fermented and does not need to be refrigerated unless you are keeping it for more than one year.

Can soy sauce packets be left out?

Answer: The best way to store soy sauce is refrigerated, especially if it stored for long periods of time. Unrefrigerated, it may lose some quality aspects, since refrigeration helps the flavor and quality characteristics remain at their peak for a longer period.