Should tomato sauce, jam, peanut butter and mustard be kept in the fridge after opening or is it okay to leave them in the pantry?
It’s a question that divides – and upsets – some households. So … here’s what the expert says.
Dr Zac Turner, of Concierge Doctors, says tomato sauce and other condiments like barbecue sauce and mustards do not need to be kept in the fridge due to their high acidity and processing.
“Even after it’s been opened, it remains microbially stable for quite some time, which means little bacteria grows in it,” he told news.com.au.
Both Vegemite and peanut butter don’t contain much water, so it’s harder for bacteria to grow,” he says. Both spreads are shelf-stable products, which means they can stay on the shelf before and after opening.
Dr Turner says the sensible thing to do is read the labels, which have storage directions.
Do you follow the instructions on the label or have your own view on which products to pop in the fridge and which to leave in the pantry?
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