Another question about Ketchup

[snapppyd]

I found a bottle of Heinz Ketchup in the pantry (well a plastic bottle). It has never been opened, but is well past the expiration date. The color looks a little dark. Do you think it's safe to eat?

My car is snowed/iced in so I can't get to the store.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

My mother's rule:

When in doubt, throw it out.

No one has ever gotten food poisoning from anything served in my mother's house. I follow her rule, and so far, so good.

If the color looks "off", I wouldn't trust it.

 

[yoopermom]

My in laws used to keep and use some pretty rank condiments well past their expiration date. Ketchup seems to be the worst, I don't know if it's the sugar that goes off, or what, but it would probably totally ruin the taste of your meat, even if it didn't make you sick. (Now mustard, especially the "original" kinds, didn't seem to go bad as fast...)

I wouldn't....

Terri

 

[shortbun]

I found a bottle of Heinz Ketchup in the pantry (well a plastic bottle). It has never been opened, but is well past the expiration date. The color looks a little dark. Do you think it's safe to eat?

My car is snowed/iced in so I can't get to the store.

What is "well past?" I'd taste it, smell it and make a decision after that. Do you have any tomato sauce that you could add sugar to and reduce over a low heat? I don't think ketchup has anything in it that will really hurt you. I'm guessing it's just turned to vinegar and darkened. Good luck.

 

[HM]

I'm with the PP that said to smell and taste it and then decide.

 

[snapppyd]

I'm kind of scared to try it But at the same time I'm so curious....
I think I'll go open it and take a whiff

 

[wishesuponastar]

I was also going to say how past expiration is it? I'd be scared to taste it too!

 

[snapppyd]

Over a year past, but never opened.

OK, I opened it, it smells like ketchup.

Dare I try it

If I don't come back, it was nice knowing you all

 

[NaLisa]

I'd throw it out. Not worth the risk.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I think that's too long to try it. You might get sick, not worth it.

 

[mamacatnv]

Oh for goodness sakes, its Ketchup and only a year out, I have open stuff in my fridge older than that
Yes, if it smells fine, give it a taste, it will not kill you. If it contains vinegar, all the better, vinegar is a great preservative

 

[dustpixie]

Toss it. http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17473

 

[mamacatnv]

Toss it. http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17473

Why toss???? Tossing contradicts the advice the link that states the shelf life is 12 months.
The shelf life says "storage time is for best quality, after that the color or flavor may change but in most cases the ketchup will be safe to consume if it has been stored properly"

 

[CaliBear]

I prefer ketchup that has not been refrigerated, but I would not eat ketchup that has gone off color. I have had off-color ketchup come out of a ketchup packet before so I know what you're talking about. Don't eat that.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Actually, the website says that if there's an "off" color, taste or smell, you should toss it.

 

[dustpixie]

Why toss???? Tossing contradicts the advice the link that states the shelf life is 12 months.
The shelf life says "storage time is for best quality, after that the color or flavor may change but in most cases the ketchup will be safe to consume if it has been stored properly"

I took the color darkening to be an "off appearance." At any rate, stilltasty is a better reference than my guessing!

 

[Micca]

I'd taste it, and if it seemed ok I'd put it on a burger or something. Something with vinegar, and likely other preservatives that hasn't been opened is probably ok. In fact, the "off" color might revert to normal once you open it. Pour a little out and stir it up a bit.

Normally I'm a "when it doubt toss it out" sorta guy, but desperate times (cold & snow) call for desperate measures.

 

[mamacatnv]

Actually, the website says that if there's an "off" color, taste or smell, you should toss it.

It also says color may change and that it is fine.
When I think of "off color" I think of a color that it is not supposed to be, like purple spots in the white yogurt etc. Ketchup may darken, I've seen mustard of varying hues etc. but if it were an odd or "off" color that to me is different.

Just me

 

[Poohforyou]

Oh for goodness sakes, its Ketchup and only a year out, I have open stuff in my fridge older than that
Yes, if it smells fine, give it a taste, it will not kill you. If it contains vinegar, all the better, vinegar is a great preservative

I was thinking the same thing. The open ketchup in our fridge is likely more than a year old. There really isn't anything in ketchup that would go bad and cause you to get sick. It's loaded with sugar.

 

[burnurcomputer]

Couldn't you just cook it on the stove to kill some germs and add some more vinegar?

I would toss it, but you seem interested in keeping it