The 411 - Why is ketchup refrigerated at home but not at restaurants?

The reason ketchup is refrigerated at home but not usually at restaurants comes down to a mix of food safety, shelf stability, and usage volume.

1. Shelf Stability of Ketchup

Ketchup contains vinegar, sugar, and salt, which are natural preservatives. That makes it relatively shelf-stable even when opened — it won’t spoil quickly at room temperature. However, over time, refrigeration helps preserve its flavour, colour, and texture.

2. Usage Volume

At home: A bottle of ketchup might last weeks or even months. Because it’s used slowly, refrigerating it helps maintain freshness over time.

At restaurants: Ketchup bottles are used up much more quickly — often within a day or two. That short time at room temperature isn't enough to affect its quality significantly, especially in air-conditioned dining areas.

3. Manufacturer Recommendations

Most ketchup labels (e.g., Heinz) say something like:

“For best results, refrigerate after opening.”

This is a quality recommendation, not a safety warning.

4. Health Regulations

In many jurisdictions, health regulations do not require ketchup to be refrigerated once opened, as long as it’s used within a reasonable time and handled properly.

TL;DR:

At home, refrigeration keeps ketchup tasting good longer because you use it slowly. At restaurants, it gets used up quickly, so there's less need to refrigerate it.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model