Ketchup tastes nicer cold and it cools down boiling hot food :D

Ketchup goes in the fridge... My mummy likes it cold...

long live the cupboard ketchup i say

I say "refrigerate", why take unecessary chances. (If you wanna be a rebel, ketchup isn't the most exciting venue.)My question is, what about pancake syrup? (grin)

I THINK IF NOT REFRIGERATING KETCHUP WERE THAT DANGEROUS THAT WE WOULD ALL BE VERY SICK BECAUSE EVERY RESTAURANT I KNOW OF STORES THEIRS ON A SHELF AND WE ALL EAT IT WHEN WE GO OUT!

check out most restaurants.. they DO NOT refrigerate ketchtup, it stays on the tables or on under a counter in the glass bottles and is not refrigerated... or even like mcdonalds - its in big pump containers and is not cold.. now granted, they go thru more ketchup regularily than the avg househould.. but still - restaurants don't refrig.. why should we?

I agree with Christina: "Cold ketchup certainly tastes better on a hot hamburger or hot dog."

However, if your putting cold ketchup onto a "hot hamburger", it seems proper to put cold ketchup onto hot "hot dog"; not simply hot dog. :)

I guess when I posted this last week I obviously did not hit something right.. here goes again.

I agree with the majority, refrigeration seems to keep ketchup's flavor at it's fullest.

However, I have kept a ketchup bottle in my drawer at work for several months, and as long as you shake the bottle real well it seems to be allright.

Now, for those of us who either do not like ketchup or prefer other condiments ..
What about mustard??

Cool!

Refrigeration wins. Even though it’s technically not necessary due to ketchup's acidic nature, it is the most prudent choice for those who desire long life :>)

Do we want to take a vote on whether or not ketchup is a valid condiment for potato chips?

I prefer dean's French onion dip but have been guilty of using ketchup when there is nothing else available. In my defense this is for 'regular' chips and not 'ruffles' or other varieties. Also those wacky Canadians actually sell a ketchup-flavored dip eh.

Craig

Since there is an overwhelming response from one side, I'll play devil's advocate. For those nay-sayer's out there, my ketchup is in the refrigerator (although my parents' ketchup is not).

I see some excellent points have been raised. As the devil's advocate for this particular discussion, I offer the following arguments:

1. Heinz says,

"Because it is a very acidic product, ketchup does not spoil easily. Once opened, in order to maintain the product's quality more effectively, we do suggest that ketchup (and any other processed food) be refrigerated after opening because refrigeration retards spoilage."

Points to note:
A) "...ketchup does not spoil easily."
B) "...we do suggest that ketchup...be refrigerated..." (note the word suggest, not require or are not responsible if you don't)

2. From the web site that Craig suggests, (http://sneakykitchen.com/Ideas/ketchup.htm)

"Ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator after opening. Kept chilled, it should be all right for up to six months. Ketchup keeps better than most foods, partly because of its acidity, but it isn't sufficiently acid to kill bacteria, mold and other microorganisms that may get into the bottle after opening. Refrigeration doesn't kill the 'bugs' either, but does slow their growth. She also recommends keeping the lid and mouth of the bottle clean."

Points to note:
A) "Ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator..." (again, should is used instead of strongly advise, dangerous not to, etc.)
B) "Kept chilled, it should be all right for up to six months" (and not chilled, how long...one week, one month, six months?)
C) "Refrigeration doesn't kill the 'bugs' either, but does slow their growth." (Well, isn't that comforting...only 500 bacteria instead of 10,000)

3. Ketchup bottles do NOT have refrigerate or refrigerate after opening.

4. Finally, let's look to our friends at the food and drug administration. This page (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr970224.html) talks about labeling of foods needing refrigeration. A couple items to note:

"Foods such as mustard, salad dressings, jams, jellies, salsa, and spaghetti sauce bear a statement advising refrigeration once the product is opened to retard deterioration in the quality of the food. Nonetheless, consumers often do not refrigerate these foods. Although consumers may notice a deterioration in flavor, color, or texture over time, they may not associate foodborne illness with consumption of these products. Therefore, consumers do not seem to associate safety concerns with the keep refrigerated or refrigerate after opening statements."

and...

"The suggested optional label statement for Group C foods is: Refrigerate for Quality or some other statement that explains to the consumer that the storage conditions are recommended to protect the quality of the product."

Points to note:
A) Ketchup is not included in the list of products people commonly do not refrigerate but should, and apparently there are a a fair amount people who leave it out of the refrigerator.
B) The article goes on to mention guidelines for labeling and kethcup falls in group C meaning only the quality may decline by not refrigerating.

So, where does this leave us? Easy, Mike says to refrigerate. :)

Refridgerated: That's the way I grew up, an that's the way its' gonna be.

Once open it must be refrigerated. Boban beat me to the Heinz Link so i'll post another one.Its at the end of the page but it also recommend refrigeration for pretty much the same reasons.
http://sneakykitchen.com/Ideas/ketchup.htm

and for the strange people who must use the argument of putting cold ketchup on warm food here is another debate on the subject
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/5536/july30.html

now green ketchup is a different story since you can't tell even if it does spoil!

My personal opinion is that ketchup should be refrigerated after opening. Apparently Heinz agrees because "refrigeration retards spoilage."

http://www.heinz.com/jsp/consumer_faq.jsp#16

Ketchup is gross. I wouldn't put it on anything except for squirting it on someone's white shirt who you dislike. Hot or Cold-doesn't matter as long as the stain stays for a long time.

I think that ketchup should be refrigerated. Cold ketchup certainly tastes better on a hot hamburger or hot dog.

Refrigerating ketchup keeps the flavor at its peak. However, un-refrigerated ketchup is safe to eat, after several weeks the air will dilute the ketchup’s flavor (and of course if this happens then it won’t mask the flavor of whatever it is you don’t want to taste!)

So I say Refrigerate!