Why Refrigerate BBQ Sauces?

Pyro

Every BBQ sauce I buy has the instruction, "refrigerate after opening". This is relatively new. In my ill-spent youth, I happened to meet several people who made and sold their BBQ sauces. I speak of commercial sales, with the facilities and the sauce fully approved - not someone selling homemade sauce. None of their sauces had this label and I include both Arthur Bryant's and Gate's sauces.

It was my understanding that most BBQ sauces had a PH well under 4.6 and consequently did not need refrigeration. I also note that now place that serves BBQ refrigerates their BBQ sauce, mustard or catsup. Since all of these taste better at room temp rather than refrigerated - why is every maker of BBQ sauce using that damnable phrase - "refrigerate after opening"?

Thanks for considering my random question:

Wayne Fogel

Celtic Wolf

Because some smart ass lawyer sued them on behalf of some person who got sick and claimed they didn't know it needed to be refrigerated..

Take a close look at a McDonald's coffee cup "Caution Contents are Hot" D'Oh!!!

Car Wash Mike

Aside from what CW said. I think the sugar based sauces give a much better flavor and stick to the meat better.

Mike

KentuckyEggMan

Damn good question. I make my own sauces and have for awhile. The sauces I grew up with and are still sold today are from small operators but they have been in business for 77 years and passed down from generations. They are vinegar based and they don't need refrigeration. I make my own and never refrigerate them and they are better not refrigerated in my opinion. I am with the man who said a lawyer sued someone and that was that...Some sauces need refrigeration though as I have seen them go sour....Vinegar based does go bad too and I have seen it ferment....I use tumeric in mine and maybe that is the reason? I cook my sauces down quite a bit too.

JimF

It is all about legal nowadays and not about taste. The legal system has taken all of the common sense out of your actions. No matter how stupid of a thing you do, a smart lawyer will figure a reason to sue somebody with deep pockets so the label is all CYA.

fishlessman

it does go bad if you leave it in the fridge long enough, ive seen green mold develope after a few years. you can leave it out, you can even leave most store bought mayo out now.

Chef in the Making

I know what you mean and what i find even more fascinating is the sell by date or use by date found on the container. I often wonder what happens when you use it the day after the expiration date.