Safety of old, unopened bottles of ketchup
I just found two bottles of unopened ketchup dating back several years. One says "Best used by September 19, 2008," and the other says "Best used by May 10, 2010." I think I should throw them both out, but I wonder if there is any chance they could be used in making a barbecue sauce which calls for boiling the ingredients together for 30 minutes. What about in baked beans or other such recipes which are baked? Would that kill botulism or other dangerous organisms?
Best Answer
Assuming that there are no apparent problems with it (either from storage method or upon opening and inspection), I am one to agree with StillTasty in this case and say that you would not likely encounter any problems making barbecue sauce. They say twelve months, though.
For the sauce though, not only will the long, slow boiling help; but the ketchup is likely chock full of high-fructose corn syrup (which acts as a preservative), and you will be suspending more sugar (again, a preservative) in it.
Pictures about "Safety of old, unopened bottles of ketchup"
Is it safe to eat expired unopened ketchup?
Can You Eat Expired Ketchup? While ketchup comes with a date on the label, it doesn't expire on that day or month. That date is there for quality purposes, and more often than not your ketchup will be fine for months after that date. You can eat it as long as it doesn't show any signs of spoilage I described earlier.How long is an unopened bottle of ketchup good for?
Ketchup: 1 years; 6 months (see note above on shelf-stable). Maple syrup: Consume within 12 months if stored in pantry, refrigeration will extend life. Mayonnaise: 3 to 6 months; 2 months (see note above on shelf-stable). Mustard: 1 to 2 years; 1 year (see note above on shelf-stable).Can you get sick from out of date ketchup?
For example, while food poisoning incidences from eating expired ketchup are rare, they're still possible.How long can you eat ketchup after expiration date?
Opened ketchup will usually keep well for 1 month when stored in the pantry. To extend the shelf life of opened ketchup, refrigerate it. How long does opened ketchup last in the refrigerator? Ketchup that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 9 to 12 months.The Science Room - SNL
More answers regarding safety of old, unopened bottles of ketchup
Answer 2
The rationale behind keeping most of these low acid sauces is that 1) the pH is low enough (below 4.5) - ie it is sufficiently acid - to prevent growth of food poisoning organisms such as botulinum, and 2) the product is pasteurised to remove temperature sensitive organisms that could survive at these low pHs. So, as long as the jar hasn't been opened, it should be safe, but the eating quality will deteriorate over time. If it has been opened and stored for more than the shelf-life says, other organisms may have got in, and if in any doubt I would chuck it. There is a history of reducing acidity in favour of increased consumer prefereeance of milder foods.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.