This Shocking Tomato Sauce Myth Busted by Aussie's MasterFoods Will Change the Way You Eat!

The great tomato sauce storage debate has been a topic of contention in Australian households for as long as we can remember. Should that bottle of tangy red goodness be kept in the fridge, or is the pantry perfectly fine? Well, folks, the time has come to put an end to the speculation once and for all, thanks to MasterFoods, one of Australia's leading condiment brands.

MasterFoods, a staple in Aussie kitchens since 1945, has stepped up to the plate to deliver the final verdict on this culinary conundrum. Ross Mail, the head of Research & Development at MasterFoods, has over 15 years of experience perfecting the recipes for their products, and he's got some news that might not sit well with everyone.


According to Mail, the only proper place for your beloved bottle of tomato sauce, once opened, is the refrigerator. 'As Australia’s favourite tomato sauce, we can finally settle the debate. MasterFoods will always recommend keeping it in the fridge,' he stated. The reason? It's all about maintaining the sauce's quality, ensuring it stays fresher and tastier for longer. The cool environment of the fridge slows down the aging process, keeping the sauce a vibrant red and preserving its robust tomato flavour.


1722229673026.png
MasterFoods recommended storing tomato sauce in the fridge to keep it fresh and flavorful. Credit: Shutterstock


But before you start rearranging your pantry, it's not all doom and gloom for those who've been staunchly storing their sauce in the cupboard. Mail reassures that there's no immediate danger in doing so. 'Technically, tomato sauce is shelf stable, given its ingredients include salt and sugar, which are natural preservatives,' he explained. It's perfectly fine to keep an unopened bottle in the cupboard, but once you've popped that top, the clock starts ticking, and the sauce will age more rapidly. It may turn a darker brown and lose some of its tomatoey zest, and could even spoil over time if not refrigerated. Always keep an eye on the best-before date to ensure your sauce is at its best.


Interestingly, MasterFoods' recent 2024 study shed light on the fact that sauce storage preferences might just be a generational thing. The data revealed that a whopping 58% of Gen Z and Millennials are all about that chilled sauce life, opting to keep their tomato sauce in the fridge. On the flip side, nearly half of the Baby Boomer generation are cupboard loyalists, preferring their sauce at room temperature.

This isn't the first time a big name in the sauce game has chimed in on the debate. Heinz, the global giant known for its Tomato Ketchup, declared back in June 2023 that the fridge is indeed the rightful place for ketchup, emphatically stating, 'FYI: Ketchup. goes. in. the. fridge!!!' on their official social media page.

So, there you have it, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club. It seems that science and the experts are suggesting a move towards cooler climes for your tomato sauce. But as with all things in life, personal preference plays a big role, and if you're not quite ready to change your ways, that's okay too. Just remember to keep an eye on that best before date and enjoy your sauce however you see fit.

Key Takeaways
  • MasterFoods has officially recommended storing tomato sauce in the fridge to maintain quality, freshness, and flavour.
  • The debate over whether tomato sauce should be stored in the pantry or fridge has been a longstanding one among Australian households.
  • Ross Mail, head of Research & Development for MasterFoods, explained that while tomato sauce is shelf stable due to its preservative ingredients, refrigeration after opening helps prevent aging and spoilage.
  • New data from a 2024 study by MasterFoods indicates that younger Australians prefer storing tomato sauce in the fridge, while nearly half of Baby Boomers keep it in the cupboard.
Now, we'd love to hear from you! Are you a fridge fanatic or a pantry purist when it comes to your tomato sauce? Has this revelation by MasterFoods swayed your storage habits? Share your thoughts and sauce stories in the comments below – we're all ketchup enthusiasts here!
 
Sponsored
I will stick with the scientific tests which found tomato sauce kept in the fridge produced more bacteria than being kept in the pantry - not that I eat tomato sauce unless it is home made, but my husband does
Does the same apply to milk, butter, thawed meats and opened tomato paste being left in the pantry? Maybe those "scientists" should have turned their fridge down from 25 deg C to 4 deg C.
 
Does the same apply to milk, butter, thawed meats and opened tomato paste being left in the pantry? Maybe those "scientists" should have turned their fridge down from 25 deg C to 4 deg C.
If you want to put your milk, butter, thawed meats, tomato paste or anything else stored in the pantry that would be your choice. My brain is trying to figure out why in the world you would compare those products with tomato sauce, I really don't understand it - was it a joke.
 
No, I won't be putting my sauce in the fridge, I've been keeping it in the pantry & will keep it in the pantry, just like Vegemite & Peanut Paste, it goes in the pantry too. Hasn't killed me yet & I'm nearly 80yrs old.
 
No, I won't be putting my sauce in the fridge, I've been keeping it in the pantry & will keep it in the pantry,82 just like Vegemite & Peanut Paste, it goes in the pantry too. Hasn't killed me yet & I'm nearly 80yrs old.
even my Nan's home made didn't go in a fridge because we didn't have them over 80 years ago, Ours only lived in the cupboard and 82 years later I'm still here.
 
My hubby likes tomato sauce on lots of things with a bit of good food added.
I keep the big bottle in the pantry, and the little squeeze bottle in the fridge door. Why??
Because if I didn't, I would get the question...where's the sauce...more times than I would like.
I don't care, either way.
 
So people prefer to disregard the manufacturer's instructions and run with their own misguided beliefs?

I just hope you don't purchase a brand new car!

Oh that's right....nobody reads operating instructions. That's why things stuff up when the manufacturer's instructions are ignored. That goes for anything from tomato sauce to a $2000 high end Bosch washing machine.

And tomato sauce DOES HAVE the manufacturer's instructions on the label.

REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING!

I rest my case!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tervueren
So people prefer to disregard the manufacturer's instructions and run with their own misguided beliefs?

I just hope you don't purchase a brand new car!

Oh that's right....nobody reads operating instructions. That's why things stuff up when the manufacturer's instructions are ignored. That goes for anything from tomato sauce to a $2000 high end Bosch washing machine.

And tomato sauce DOES HAVE the manufacturer's instructions on the label.

REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING!

I rest my case!
You have given me the best laugh all week, you seem to be really peeved and don't like to be proven wrong at any cost. I did buy a brand-new car a couple of years ago yes, I did read the instruction manual. You mentioned washing machines does this mean people should only use the dishwashing machine tablets recommended by the manufacturer, if so, why are there so many on the market
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×