Thursday, June 21, 2007

The ketchup (er, I mean, the PLOT) thickens...

In my quest to be further educated on the ketchup experiment, I did some research.

HERE's a TivoCommunity discussion on the topic....

This page at About.com says to refrigerate it.

HERE's another little discussion board which talks about it.

And yet another! Wow, a lot of people really care about this!

THIS discussion group seems to be full of older people who are of the opinion that "We never refrigerated that stuff when I was a kid, so of course it's fine to leave it in the cupboard."

However, THIS article, from KitchenSavvy, explains that while it might have been ok to leave the ketchup in the cupboard back in the olden days, it isn't necessarily safe to do nowadays.

Fascinating.
So I still really don't know whether I'm cheating death or not... but it's starting to look suspicious!
Lunch: Corn dog with Ore-Ida fries... and ketchup!
.

16 comments:

Lynda said...

I read some stuff on it also. You could created a heated discussion not unlike the one Ann Landers had in the early 90's about which way to hang toliet paper.

Personally, I just like to save the ketchup packets from fast food places. I don't use it that much. I read that if you keep it in the refrigerator, it can last up to 6 months, but when I buy I bottle, it usually still tastes good 2 years later. I figure as long as nothing fuzzy is on it, and it doesn't look or taste funky, what could be wrong.

That's how much I use ketchup.

Anonymous said...

Jeez,Janna!! Don't get sick just trying to prove a point!! Did you know that in days of yore, kings had tasters to make sure they weren't being poisoned? Got any enemies?

Janna said...

Lynda: I save ketchup packets too, but that's just because I'm weird. :)

Metalmom: LOL! Well, thanks for being concerned. Really, I'm pretty sure I'll be ok, because even in this day and age, restaurants still leave their ketchup sitting out. I'll be just as safe as if I'd eaten at one of those places every day. :) Though if you'd like, I can send you a list of my enemies, you can hunt them up, and together we can pour old warm ketchup down their throat with a big funnel...

Merritt Fields said...

I vote that you just throw it out and be done with the experiment...eat mayo and/or mustard instead.

I save ketchup packets as well (or rather The Husband does) because I don't buy bottles of the stuff.

Janna said...

Aisby: Mayo?? Actually I hate mayo about as much as you hate ketchup! And that's a LOT of hatred! :)

Anonymous said...

We also carried mayo-laden sandwiches to school in non-blue-iced lunch boxes (well, ok, I did - not you) and left the Thanksgiving leftovers on the counter all afternoon for nibbling-as-needed. Now, all the 'experts' say this is wrong.
I'm still waiting for the bad side-effects...
I say leave the ketchup out if there's not room in the fridge and don't worry about it.
--Peggy

Mo and The Purries said...

Ooooh - there ya go Janna, which way is the 'right' way to put up a toilet paper roll!


I love how Aisby wanted you to ditch the ketchup in favor of mayo! I can just picture you shuddering in revulsion at the thought!

Desert Songbird said...

Come visit me. I have something for you.

The Ice Box

Unknown said...

it doesn't matter, ketchup is still gross!

oh, and sorry i haven't been around here lately, i've been babysitting my own blog, sheesh.

Liz Hill said...

MO: There is only ONE way to put the roll on--it has to come over the top ;-)

There is probably enough vinegar in ketchup to allow it to be unrefirgerated if you eat a LOT of it. Restaurants go through a lot. It will probably be fine and because it has a LOT of sugars in it it will 'let you know' if ut is bad --watch for mold

The Ferryman said...

Mayo is heaven!

I have been eating warm ketchup forever, and there is nothing wrong with me!

Mo and The Purries said...

Turnbaby: I 100% agree with you = over the top for TP.
But here in Michigan, specifically in the BigD, I've found an inordinate amount of people with their brains in backwards. Er, I mean, who are under-handed toilet paper hangers.

Marilyn said...

Carefully think about Mr. Fab's statement...

However, as long as you don't by the ultra jumbo bottle, I think you're okay. Of course, I've been known to make old fashioned ice cream with raw eggs.... now there's a subject to get you in trouble. EVERYBODY knows raw eggs will kill you.

Janna said...

Peggy: Time will tell! :)

Morgen: Shuddering, gagging, retching....

Desert Songbird: Cool! Thanks!

Onionboy: You and Aisby should get together and raise a ketchupless family.

Turnbaby: I will definitely watch for mold.

Mr. Fab: There's nothing wrong with you, huh?

Morgen: I HAVE to hang it backwards, because otherwise the cats will unroll it.

Marilyn: I know, Fab's statement was definitely food for thought.:) I have the little 14-oz bottle. And yes, raw eggs will getcha!!!

Anonymous said...

Over-the-top with the TP UNLESS there are toddlers in the house. In that case, it HAS TO be the other way because it hampers their stringing it all over the house--for a while, anyway.

Janna said...

Anonymous: Well, in my case, it's cats instead of toddlers, but yes, I know what you mean. :)