Shelf life of little condiment packages?

Factual Questions
1

So I had some little packages of Heinz ketchup. They sat in my kitchen drawer for maybe a couple months. I went to use them on fries yesterday. The first bite told me they had gone pretty funky. Into the garbage with the ketchup, and a good amount of the fries as well. :frowning:

Is there a way to tell the shelf life of these little packets? There doesn’t seem to be any date on the package. Or is it a “use at your own risk” kind of deal?

2

If they remain perfectly sealed, they should last for a very long time. My guess is that your packet developed a small air leak, which would allow the contents to go bad.

3

Heinz suggests that you refrigerate opened ketchup bottles, but does not insist upon it, as it doesn’t spoil easily.