One of the oldest household debates is whether to store bottled sauces in the cupboard or in the fridge.
Whether it’s ketchup, brown sauce, sweet and sour or even pickle, many opt to keep it cold, and many opt to save space in the fridge and opt for a cupboard.
With sauce being an important condiment in many meals, it’s crucial that they are stored correctly for health reasons.
Joshua Houston, food storage expert at Household Quotes, said: “Unopened sauce bottles can be stored in cupboards at room temperature, however, once they’ve been opened, they can’t.
“They should be stored inside your refrigerator, and if you read the packaging of a sauce bottle closely, you’ll notice it is recommended.
“But due to the small writing, many people miss this, and assume it’s ok to store in your cupboard when it actually could be dangerous.”
Bottled sauces go bad a lot quicker when stored on kitchen sides or in cupboards than in a fridge.
Room temperature can lead to “mould growing” inside the bottle which is “extremely hazardous” to those who consume it.
The sauce should be used within one month of it being opened, even when it’s stored in the fridge, according to the expert.
Josh said: “To see if your sauce has gone off, you can take off the bottle lid and check the inside for any unusualities.
“Alternatively, if the taste is more sour than usual, then this is usually an indication that the sauce is past its best.
“Bottled sauce should be refrigerated as it keeps it fresher for longer, it also aids in the prevention of mould build-up.
“Many people also prefer the taste of chilled sauce to that of room temperature, it helps preserve its kick.”
Not refrigerating sauces could lead to you and other members of your household becoming ill, according to Joshua.
He continued: “Ensure that you are storing your sauces properly, the last thing you want is to get ill from consuming something that has gone off.
“Refrigerating also allows you to get more for your money, as it gives you more time to finish the sauce before binning.”
