# lifespan of contents in condiment packets. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 3, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-contents-in-condiment-packets/53033 "2001-02-03T18:20:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-contents-in-condiment-packets/53033/1 "2001-02-03T18:20:01Z")
I eat my share of fast food every now and then. I also take more condiment packets than I need. Rather than putting them back into the condiment bins, I just take them home with me. However, I have some packets which I’ve had for quite some time. I’m looking at one now, and it’s copyrighted 1999. I have no intention of using it, but, that got me wondering – just how long does the stuff inside last? I’ve never seen an expiration date on them, so what is the consensus on the lifespan? ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-contents-in-condiment-packets/53033/2 "2001-02-04T03:51:29Z")
Here’s a thread on a similar subject from December: [Can Taco Bell sauce go bad?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=53085) ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc8723/32.png) [@Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Lord_Davidson)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifespan-of-contents-in-condiment-packets/53033/3 "2001-02-04T06:00:43Z")
That stuff lasts, simply, forever. If should be called preserva-sauce.