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Can You Get Sick From Eating Expired Ketchup
Your bottle likely has a “best by” date instead of what you think it has on it. Hence, the ketchup should be consumed by the date printed on the bottle. While it is true that various chemical procedures might gradually reduce the ketchup’s flavour and texture quality, this does not imply that it is toxic or harmful to eat.
When it comes to tomato sauce, as long as you keep it properly stored, you will not necessarily be ill by eating expired tomato sauce. It can be terrifying to realize you ate expired ketchup for months, or experience food poisoning as a result of doing the same.
Ketchup may trigger mild food poisoning in some people, which is why you should avoid using expired ketchup on your T.Y. No doubt, you can still eat ketchup after it has passed the date printed on it, but you may notice changes to its texture and taste after some period of time, so if you are fine with it, you can eat expired ketchup, it will not make you sick. If ketchup has been kept well and its quality and taste has not degraded, then eating it past its expiration date is fine.
It is OK to keep the ketchup in the fridge up to one year after the expiration date printed on the label. Interestingly, the best-by date is not an expiration date, and you may use your ketchup past that date in many cases. The date that you see on the bottom of the bottle when ketchup is unopened is not the expiration date, it is a best-by date. The date is for quality purposes, and most often, your ketchup will still be good several months from this date.
For the sake of safety, a “best by” date is not printed on the package of your ketchup; rather, it is referring to ketchup quality, meaning the ketchup does not necessarily get worse right after the date printed on the package. Ketchup comes with either a best before or a use by date, this date indicates you are allowed to enjoy the best quality and flavor of the ketchup until your best by or use by date. Heinz Ketchup Lasts For Keep in mind, as with many other condiments, it typically has a best by date, rather than an expiration date.
You can store ketchup in a cool, dark area, or the pantry, where it will last about one month. Once you have opened the bottle, a unopened Ketchup will generally maintain its quality for at least several months, and it stays safer even longer. Because of manufacturing, nine times out of ten times, opened ketchup stays safe for months, although it does not necessarily taste that great over that long.
Your ketchup should remain fine for at least a half-year, but it will generally last a couple years, as long as it is unopened. If your opened-for-a-month ketchup does not taste the same as it used to, consider throwing it out and opening a new bottle.
| Types | Shelf Life |
| Unopened | 1-2 years |
| Opened | 6 months |
If you kept an opened bottle of ketchup at room temperature, it only stays good for one month. An opened bottle of ketchup can last longer than that time, when properly refrigerated, but after that, the flavor and aroma of the ketchup will begin to change (degrade). If you do not use your ketchup that frequently, keep each bottle opened at least for a couple months, if not more. According to the Food Marketing Institute, one bottle of ketchup is good for up to six months after opening, as long as it is kept refrigerated.
An opened bottle of ketchup needs to be kept in a refrigerator at about 40F or lower so that it can retain its taste and fragrance for an extended period. If you tend to store your ketchup really long, consider keeping it upside-down to preserve its quality a little longer.
If you want to ensure that your ketchup lasts as long as possible, keep it somewhere dry and cool, away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight. An unopened bottle of ketchup will last for approximately 1 to 2 years after its date of manufacture, when stored properly, in a cool, dry, and dark location, away from direct sunlight.
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Unopened bottles of pre-made ketchup may last 1-2 years, even after the shelf life has passed, if kept in the pantry. According to Eat By Date, ketchup generally can last unopened up to one or two years beyond the best-by or sale-by dates, then it may last for a year after opening, in the refrigerator. The shelf life of a bottle of ketchup is pretty long, as there is not a lot that can go wrong with it if left unopened.
If you notice unusual popping sounds and a bottle that is distended when you open a ketchup bottle after long, it is very possible the ketchup is going bad. If ketchup has been stored too long, you might also notice a darker color, indicating it has gone bad. These are the most common signs of ketchup spoilage, and if ketchups color has changed, then it is already gone bad.
If the ketchup looks cloudy, or has separated into two layers, it is likely no longer good. If you notice the ketchup has a smell of acidity or has a strange flavor, it is time to toss it and get a new one.
Warm ketchup does not make you sick, nor does it necessarily spoil, but you might notice changes in color (thanks, oxidation), smell, and taste after you have opened it and let it sit in your pantry for a month or so. Unsealed ketchup is usually safe to store for a few months, though it might not taste quite as good after that period. In this case, you may want to keep your unsealed bottle of ketchup at room temperature or in your pantry, as there is no risk that bacteria or mold will enter the ketchup and spoil it, but a cooler is always the best choice.
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This is an indication that the ketchup has been sitting around too long, and you might have to think about either finishing off the bottle or finally throwing it away, since that kind of ketchup is a health risk. Ketchup may be the longest-lasting ingredient in your meals, or it could be the fastest-evaporating ingredient in your meals.
Is it OK to eat expired ketchup?
Although ketchup has a date on the label, that day or month is not when it expires. That date aims to ensure product quality, and most of the time your ketchup will be OK for months beyond that date. As long as it doesn’t exhibit any of the spoiling symptoms I previously mentioned, you can eat it.
What happens if you eat spoiled ketchup?
Generally speaking, it’s not going to kill you. However, it can cause you to develop food poisoning, and it can also be quite unpleasant to eat. If you do happen to eat spoiled ketchup, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and see a doctor if you start to feel sick.
What does expired ketchup look like?
Generally, ketchup will start to develop mold or other types of bacteria growth after it’s been opened and stored for more than six months. The ketchup may also change color and develop an off odor. If you see any of these signs, it’s best to dispose of the ketchup.