MILLIONS of Brits keep their ketchup in the fridge unnecessarily, experts say.
Other popular pickles and condiments could also easily be stored in a kitchen cupboard.
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Research by Which? found just one in five Brits check labels to see where their favourite items should be stored and for how long.
The consumer champions have compiled a long list of the most popular condiments in British homes from mustard to mint sauce to maple syrup to find out which really do have to be kept in the fridge and which could simply sit at the back of the larder.
It comes after Which? surveyed 444 of its members to find just one in five always check the label advice on such products to see where they should be stored and for how long.
The consumer group said: “We discovered a lot of confusion, misinformation and downright bad habits — including ones that could be putting their health at risk.”
Egg-based items such as salad cream and mayonnaise should be kept refrigerated, as should pesto.
But ketchup, brown sauce, pickle, mango chutney and mustard are all perfectly safe in a cupboard.
In many cases it may be down to personal taste, such as preferring ketchup to be served cold.
Manufacturers are required by law to put storage guidance on products though many consumers simply look at “best before” and “use by” labels.
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Which? says that “use by” dates should be strictly adhered to, while smell and taste are handy guides for “best before”.
It added: “Homes are warmer by four degrees Celsius than they were in 1970, so bear this in mind if you’re still making decisions about where to store food – fridge or cupboard – based on what you’ve always done.”
It also recommends plastic top-down containers, which are recyclable.
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