The Great Ketchup Debate: To Refrigerate or Not to Refrigerate?

It can be really confusing to walk through the aisles of our favorite grocery shop and figure out what food items require refrigeration and what doesn’t.

It is reasonable to believe that if a product isn’t refrigerated in stores, it also doesn’t need to be at home. That isn’t always the case, though.

A modest word in fine type can be found on the labels of many products on grocery store shelves if we look closely: “refrigerate after opening.” Sadly, not everyone takes note of this small directive, and even those who do sometimes decide to disregard it. Ketchup is an excellent illustration of this.

The popular ketchup brand, Heinz, actually advises chilling their product as soon as you bring it inside. You may be asking yourself, “But why does ketchup need to be refrigerated when I see bottles of it sitting on the store shelves?” Heinz wants you to know that it’s all for the best, though.

This ketchup conundrum intrigued me, so I decided to look into it directly. I grabbed a bottle of Heinz ketchup from my own kitchen and read the label carefully. And there it was—the warning to “For best results, refrigerate after opening”—subtly printed in small text on the label on the reverse. Thus, the recommendation is clear: refrigeration is advised.

Were you aware that Heinz addressed this issue on Twitter as well? The message on their short tweet said, “FYI: Ketchup goes in the fridge!!!” This tweet grabbed the attention of people all over social media and started a heated debate among ketchup lovers.

Heinz even went so far as to survey people about how they keep their ketchup in storage at home. The outcomes were really intriguing. Of all the people who use ketchup, 36.8% keep it in a cabinet and 63.2% keep it in the refrigerator.

It’s intriguing to learn the motivations behind some people’s decisions to disregard refrigeration recommendations. They contend that ketchup tastes good even when kept at room temperature and that it doesn’t spoil readily. The good news is that you can keep your ketchup fresher for longer by refrigerating it, which will increase its shelf life.

Thus, keep in mind what Heinz suggests if you’re still not sure if you should refrigerate your ketchup. And why not follow the rest of us and store that bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator, nice and cold? It’s a simple method to guarantee that your favorite condiment remains flavorful and fresh.

It’s your time to comment on the ketchup controversy now! Which is better for storing ketchup—in a cupboard or the refrigerator? Let’s continue the conversation and hear about your ketchup preferences!

Dairy Queen store got in serious trouble after posting controversial sign

In 2017, a Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin grabbed attention online with a message posted in its front window, causing quite a stir across the internet.

Some words or expressions, like ”Merry Christmas,” can stir up controversy, even when they seem harmless to some.

In a world filled with different beliefs and traditions, what feels like a simple greeting to one person might come across as exclusionary to another.

It’s that clash of perspectives that can turn a seemingly innocent phrase into a hot topic. Take, for example, a Dairy Queen in Wisconsin that made headlines with a bold sign on its window — sparking a heated debate online.

For years, a Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, has proudly displayed a ”politically incorrect” sign on its window. While locals have long been familiar with it, back in 2017, an out-of-town customer took notice and set the internet on fire.

The store’s owner, Kevin Scheunemann, is the one who put up the sign, and he stands by its message.

“I felt the sign was appropriate to hang in terms of being transparent about the views of the owner and staff supporting God and country,” Scheunemann explained to WeAreGreenBay.com.

The sign in Kewaskum

So, what did the sign actually say?

It proudly declared the restaurant’s stance on “political incorrectness,” emphasizing holiday greetings like “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter,” and “God Bless America.” It also included the phrase “In God we trust” and offered free sundaes to veterans on Veteran’s Day.

Facebook

According to the owner, he decided to put up the sign back in 2012, after a customer was upset by Christian music playing inside the restaurant.

“I just felt it was more appropriate to disclose these kinds of expressions,” Scheunemann continued. “It just seems that those kinds of values and principles are becoming controversial in society.”

Despite the occasional controversy, Scheunemann stands firm, willing to have a conversation with anyone who disagrees, but also proud of his values.

”Pretty tasteless”

But as mentioned, not everyone agreed with Scheunemann’s perspective. One customer from Oregon posted the sign on Dairy Queen’s national Facebook page in 2017, complaining about its exclusive nature.

This sparked a flood of negative comments, with people like Steve Thomas from Milwaukee saying, “I feel this is a pretty tasteless thing to have posted at one of your franchises. The part I disagree with is his use of the term ‘snowflake’… he’s alienating half the population by using that term.”

Thomas continued, “The other thing I don’t like is him belittling ‘safe spaces.’ Young adults need a safe place to talk when they’re struggling but won’t go because of the criticism they might receive. That’s why I disagree with this sign.”

Despite the backlash, many showed their support for Scheunemann, with some people even traveling long distances to snap a picture with the owner.

I just had to post this. Naturally, it was really busy tonight. This customer comes up to counter and says he has…Posted by Kevin Scheunemann on Saturday, June 30, 2018

In response to the controversy, Dairy Queen released a statement:

“American Dairy Queen Corporation does not encourage our independently owned and operated franchisees to post non-business related messages. This sign expresses the views of this independent owner only and does not speak for ADQ Corporation or other franchise owners. We expect our franchisees and employees to treat every customer with dignity and respect.”

New controversy

Then in 2020, the same Dairy Queen found itself at the center of another debate when a Donald Trump campaign sign, placed next to the restaurant’s parking lot, was nearly stolen.

CCTV footage showed two people trying to take the large Trump sign, but they couldn’t fit it into their car. Scheunemann, who posted about the incident on Facebook, even offered a $500 Dairy Queen gift card for information leading to the suspects’ arrest.

Love it or hate it, Dairy Queen’s politically charged sign has certainly sparked conversation over the years.

Whether you’re all for Scheunemann’s unapologetic stance or feel it crosses a line, it’s clear that his message has struck a chord with people from all walks of life. From heated debates on social media to those who travel miles just to snap a photo with the sign, it’s a reminder of how a single statement can ignite a much larger conversation.

So, what do you think? Does Scheunemann’s sign represent standing strong in your beliefs, or is it a step too far in today’s divided world?

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