How Long Do Fast-Food Sauces And Dressings Last?

Not as long as you think.

We've all left sauce packets in the glove and side door compartments of our cars. Others of us dutifully throw extras in the fridge, only for them to never be seen again or resurface many years later. Some of those packets might even date back to when Dallas was still on air.

Jokes aside, sealed in their tiny envelopes and kept away from direct sunlight, the sugar, vinegar, and salt must preserve these condiments indefinitely, right?

Not quite.

Nothing lasts forever, and that includes ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce, too. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have specific guidelines for these packets, so it can be hard to determine how long they last. While you have some time before they go rancid, here’s what to know before pouring that packet all over your food.

You Won't Find an Expiration Date

Normally, we would tell you to use expiration dates as your guide, but you won’t find one on most fast-food packets. (No nutritional information either.) That’s because all that information is usually found on the larger box the packets are sold in.

Expiration dates may only denote the quality of the product, but generally they are useful for determining how long something has been in your pantry, or in this case, your kitchen junk drawer.

Some packets will list ingredients however, which can help determine shelf life. Sauces containing eggs, dairy, or fats like mayonnaise will all go rancid more quickly than condiments made mostly of sugar and vinegar like ketchup.

If the packaging is made of paper, instead of plastic or foil, the condiment can also go bad faster. In both cases, if it’s been more than a few months since you brought the packet home, it’s safest to just toss it out.

Packets That Will 'Never' Go Bad

Never say never, but packets of salt, sugar, and honey don’t really go bad. If punctured, exposed to heat, or moisture, they can get a little funky, but if sealed and not otherwise contaminated, these items will last indefinitely.

Signs Of Spoilage

Visual cues can be helpful for all other kinds of condiments. If the packet is puffy or damaged, you should throw it out. If the product looks discolored, has off odors, or an odd texture, you should certainly toss it. It's better to play it safe than sorry.

How Long Fast-Food Sauces And Dressings Last

Although we can’t give you an exact figure for every fast-food chain’s line of sauces and dressings, Heinz did let us know that the shelf life of their ketchup packets is 270 days, or just shy of nine months. But even then, you don't know how long that packet was hanging out at the restaurant before it landed in your to-go bag.

Always trust your instincts, check for signs of spoilage, and when you can, store them in a cool, dark place like the fridge rather than your car. If you can't remember how long you've had the packet, we suggest tossing it.

Related: 10 Foods That Last (Basically) Forever

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