If you’ve ever squirted some ketchup out of the bottle and found that it’s a darker red than normal, you might be feeling a little suspicious. What has caused this change? Is the ketchup still safe to eat, or should you throw it away?
Ketchup does get darker as it ages, but on the whole, it should still be safe to eat. You may find that the flavor isn’t quite as good, and it will often be a bit thicker, but it’s unlikely to hurt you. Ketchup contains a lot of preservatives that make it safe to consume for a long time after it has been opened.
It’s a good idea to be wary of foods that have changed color since you opened them, so in this article, we’re going to check out whether dark ketchup is okay to eat, and what the common signs of spoiled ketchup are.
Has Dark Ketchup Spoiled?
On the whole, dark ketchup has not spoiled, no. However, the darkness does indicate that the bottle of ketchup is getting a little old, and you should be aiming to use it up as soon as possible. It has probably been open for quite a long time.
By itself, the change in color does not indicate that the ketchup is no longer safe to eat. However, it is a sign that it’s worth checking for other signs of spoilage before you eat it, so you don’t risk making yourself sick! So, what else should you look out for?
Common signs of spoilage include:
- A sour or yeasty smell: this suggests bacteria has got into the ketchup
- A vinegary taste: if the taste is wrong, you should certainly avoid eating the ketchup
- A significant amount of separation: some degree of separation is normal, but if there’s a lot of liquid, you may want to throw the ketchup away
- Mold on the surface of the ketchup: visible mold on the surface of the ketchup is a sure sign that it has gone bad
- Thickening: thicker ketchup may be fine to eat, but it is starting to go a little past its best
- A bloated bottle or popped top: this indicates that bacteria has gotten into the bottle, and the ketchup will need to be discarded.
If you see any of these signs, you should treat the ketchup with caution, because it may no longer be safe to consume it. Use the darker color as a warning signal, and start looking out for other indications that the ketchup has spoiled.
When in doubt about the safety of some ketchup, squeeze a small amount onto a plate, and smell it. If you’re still unsure, taste a tiny bit. You should be able to tell from the flavor if it has gone off. If it has, discard the whole bottle. Do not try to scoop mold off the top and use the rest; this could give you food poisoning.
What About The Expiry Date?
You may be wondering if you need to eat ketchup by the expiry date printed on the bottle – but do check whether this is actually a best-before date. The best-before date does not indicate anything about the safety of the product for consumption.
The point of a best-before date is that it tells you the point at which the food may start to lose some quality in terms of its taste or texture. It does not tell you when the food expires, and it does not indicate that your ketchup has gone off.
If this date has passed, it’s worth checking for the common signs of spoilage, but that’s all you need to do.
You definitely do not need to throw away ketchup that is past its best-before date unless you see other indications that it has gone bad.
How Long Does Ketchup Last?
Most kinds of ketchup will keep for around a year if they are kept in the fridge and not contaminated by other foods. If your ketchup has been open for longer than six months, you should start checking it for signs of decay and make efforts to use it up a little faster if you want to avoid the risk of wasting any.
On the whole, though, it should keep well in the fridge for many months. Unopened ketchup bottles can last for a couple of years after their expiry date, although you should be cautious about using them, and check for the signs listed above before you eat the sauce.
Conclusion
As you can see, dark ketchup on its own does not indicate that your sauce has gone off. However, it does suggest that the ketchup is getting older, so you should check for other signs of spoilage. If your ketchup smells or tastes strange, or has visible mold on it, throw the bottle away.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
