# Salsa **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2000, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823 "2000-01-05T20:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2000, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/1 "2000-01-06T06:15:00Z")
How long does commercial salsa keep? I mean the kind that comes in a jar–not fresh deli-type stuff. I know that freshly made salsa only keeps a couple of days, but am wondering how long I can safely eat the other kind. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2000, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/2 "2000-01-06T06:24:00Z")
There’s a Price Club sized bottle of Pace Picante (its very similar to their salsa) that we’ve had in our office fridge since October. I tested it last Thursday and it seemed OK (I’m able to type this). I know that I’ve kept salsa in my home fridge for longer than that. I’d say you have a couple of months, depending on the ingredients (preservatives) and method of storage. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2000, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/3 "2000-01-06T06:37:00Z")
The problem with salsa is that the peppers and spices make it impossible to use the “smell test” to find out if it’s gone bad. That said, the human stomach is pretty tolerant of rotten vegetables (as opposed to rotten animal products). If it tastes okay and you only use it in small condiment sized portions, you can probably eat it safely until the mold starts taking over. * * * Elmer J. Fudd, Millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2000, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/4 "2000-01-06T06:41:00Z")
Highly acidic sauces, like salsa and ketchup, are relatively hostile environments for bacteria. If properly refrigerated they keep a lot longer than most other foods. Having said that, I have to add that this isn’t a problem at our house. Salsa here has a maximum shelf life of about a week (as long as there are chips). ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Propski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Guy\_Propski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Propski)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/5 "2000-01-05T20:23:00Z")
Look on the label or lid. There should be a “don’t sell after” printed somewhere. It might just be a date, like “01-01-2000.” Generally speaking, unopened jars of food are good for anywhere from 6 months to several years. Once they’re open, less than 6 months or less; actual life-span depends on how long it was open at room temperature. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/6 "2000-01-05T20:37:00Z")
Rereading my post, I forgot to mention that the “since October” part was the length of time since the bottle (jug is more accurate) was opened. It ws probably sitting around the Price Club for a **lot** longer. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/7 "2000-01-05T22:26:00Z")
Being single and living alone, most food items I buy end up going bad before I can finish them (can’t anybody in this country make anything that’s _not_ supersized?). I only throw away salsa when there is mold growing in it. So far, old salsa has not caused any ill effects (he, he–I made a pun). * * * “I should not take bribes and Minister Bal Bahadur KC should not do so either. But if clerks take a bribe of Rs 50-60 after a hard day’s work, it is not an issue.” ----Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Current Prime Minister of Nepal ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/8 "2000-01-05T22:30:00Z")
I agree, salsa belongs in that group of food that Is Not Bad Until Mold Grows On It. Other foods in the same group: Mustard Jam/Jelly/Preserves Barbeque Sauce Funky Chinese condiments, like Hoisin sauce, bean paste, etc. Anchovies Bacon (although I tend to throw it out when it gets dry.) ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salsa/5823/9 "2000-01-05T23:04:00Z")
I thank you, and my baked potato thanks you.