My wife and I have had a longstanding disagreement that I hope some of you may be able to settle. I'm sure you realize ketchup and other foods contain the caution, "Refrigerate After Opening." Yet my wife and her family have never refrigerated ketchup. Even after opening, they keep it warm in the pantry. She claims that over a lifetime neither she nor any other members of her family have never gotten sick from this practice.

OTOH, I've always religiously refrigerated ketchup, and even thrown it out if its been in the fridge too long. Am I being anal? Or is my wife being careless? I feel that they put that warning on the label for a reason. But my wife thinks Heinz puts that on the label just to protect themselves against lawsuits, however remote the possibility.

It's true that some restaurants leave unrefrigerated ketchup on the table, but then the ketchup is used up much quicker than in a typical home.

Any food service experts out there? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!