Storage guides · Product label guide
Fridge or pantry? Soy sauce, ketchup, hot sauce, maple syrup and olive oil, from the labels.
Updated
Which condiments list preservatives, which are a single ingredient, and where to find the exact storage time: soy sauce, ketchup, hot sauce, pure maple syrup and olive oil.
Quick answer
The ingredient list explains most of the fridge-or-pantry question, and the USDA FoodKeeper gives the times. In our catalog no soy sauce label lists a sorbate or benzoate, hot sauce is the condiment shelf most likely to, and pure maple syrup and olive oil are single-ingredient products. Read the maker’s own instruction on the bottle, then check FoodKeeper.
- Storage times
- USDA FoodKeeper
- Soy sauce with a sorbate or benzoate
- 0 of 23 labels
- Hot sauce with a sorbate or benzoate
- 9 of 79 labels
- Pure maple syrup labels
- 1 of 16
01 · A closer look
One rule, then FoodKeeper.
Whether a condiment goes in the fridge after opening is the maker’s instruction and the USDA FoodKeeper’s entry for that exact food. Our label data holds ingredient lists, not the “refrigerate after opening” line, so we do not state it here. What the ingredient list does tell you is how the recipe is protected: by acid and salt, by a preservative, or not at all.
USDA and FoodSafety.gov: FoodKeeper (storage times for pantry, refrigerator and freezer)02 · A closer look
Soy sauce.
Soy sauce is salt, acid and fermentation. In our catalog none of the soy sauce labels list potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate, so the checker finds no preservative group on this shelf. For its storage time, use FoodKeeper.
03 · A closer look
Ketchup.
Ketchup is tomato, vinegar and sugar or a sweetener. The vinegar is part of the recipe and the checker does not flag it. Some condiments on the shelf list a sorbate or benzoate; the table counts them. For the time after opening, use FoodKeeper and the bottle.
04 · A closer look
Hot sauce.
Hot sauce is peppers, vinegar and salt, and the shelf is the largest in this set. Some brands add potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate, and some add xanthan gum so the sauce does not separate. Both are counted below.
05 · A closer look
Maple syrup.
Pure maple syrup lists one ingredient: maple syrup. Infused or blended products add other ingredients, so read the list before assuming a bottle is pure.
06 · A closer look
Olive oil.
Olive oil is a single oil, but a label that says olive oil can also list a seed oil in a blend. See our guide on whether olive oil is a seed oil.
07 · A closer look
What a date label means.
Date labels on most food are voluntary. USDA FSIS says that, except for infant formula, a date on a package is not required by federal law and is not a safety date. For meat, poultry and egg products FSIS describes “Best if Used By” as the date for best flavor or quality, not a purchase or safety date. Infant formula is the exception: the FDA requires a “Use by” date on its label.
USDA FSIS: food product datingFrom the catalog · 4 labels
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is usually brewed or blended from soybeans, wheat, water and salt. Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 23 sit on the soy sauce shelf and 23 of those have no additive group flagged by the checker. Open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current labels on the soy sauce shelf | 23 |
| List potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate | 0 (0.0%) |
| List alcohol or vinegar | 8 (34.8%) |
| With any additive group flagged by the checker | 0 (0.0%) |
From the catalog · 4 labels
Ketchup and tomato condiments
Vinegar and sugar are part of the recipe of ketchup; the checker looks for added preservatives. Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 99 sit on the ketchup, mayo and condiments shelf and 55 of those have no additive group flagged by the checker. Open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current labels on the ketchup, mayo and condiments shelf | 99 |
| List tomato | 32 (32.3%) |
| List potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate | 15 (15.2%) |
| List vinegar | 65 (65.7%) |
| With any additive group flagged by the checker | 44 (44.4%) |
From the catalog · 4 labels
Hot sauce
Hot sauce is peppers, vinegar and salt, and some makers add a preservative or a gum. Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 79 sit on the hot sauce shelf and 53 of those have no additive group flagged by the checker. Open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current labels on the hot sauce shelf | 79 |
| List potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate | 9 (11.4%) |
| List xanthan gum | 30 (38.0%) |
| List vinegar | 65 (82.3%) |
| With any additive group flagged by the checker | 26 (32.9%) |
From the catalog · 3 labels
Maple syrup
Pure maple syrup is one ingredient; infused and blended syrups add more. Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 16 sit on the maple syrup shelf and 16 of those have no additive group flagged by the checker. Open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current labels on the maple syrup shelf | 16 |
| Single ingredient: pure maple syrup | 1 (6.3%) |
| List a preservative (sorbate or benzoate) | 0 (0.0%) |
| List corn syrup | 0 (0.0%) |
| With any additive group flagged by the checker | 0 (0.0%) |
From the catalog · 4 labels
Olive oil
Olive oil on the cooking oil shelf includes extra virgin, refined blends and flavored oils. Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 55 sit on the cooking oil shelf and 41 of those have no additive group flagged by the checker. Open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current labels on the cooking oil shelf | 55 |
| List olive oil | 21 (38.2%) |
| List a seed oil as well | 14 (25.5%) |
| With any additive group flagged by the checker | 14 (25.5%) |
The short answer
Our picks for fridge or pantry condiments
Top of the shelfButternut Mountain Farm Organic Grade A Amber Pure Maple Syrup, Jovial Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Primal Kitchen Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil each score 100/100. 8 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongGold Mine Natural Food Co. Ohsawa Organic Genuine Mirin (100), San-J Shoyu Soy Sauce Organic (100), and Woodstock Organic Tomato Ketchup (100).
Clear noNone. Nothing scored here lists any of the nine groups we check, so there’s no additive to rule out.
Ranked from 9 of 9 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients PURE ORGANIC MAPLE SYRUP Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-19 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grade A Amber Pure Maple Syrup”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-19 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Sweet Rice, Orgainc Distilled Rice Wine (water, organic sweet rice, koji seed), Organic Rice Koji (Rice, koji seed), Sea Salt Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “OHSAWA ORGANIC GENUINE MIRIN”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients 100% organic extra virgin olive oil Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500 ml”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Tomato Concentrate, Organic Balsamic Vinegar (Organic White Wine Vinegar, Organic Grape Must), Organic Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Less Than 2% Of: Organic Onion Powder, Organic Garlic Powder, Organic Spices Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Unsweetened Squeeze Ketchup”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Water, Organic Soybeans, Organic Wheat, Salt, Organic Alcohol (to preserve freshness). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Shoyu Soy Sauce Organic”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Tomato Concentrate from Select Ripe Tomatoes, Organic Sugar, Organic Vinegar, Salt, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Spices. Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-19 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Tomato Ketchup_15 oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-19 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Carrots, Organic Onions, Organic Habanero Peppers, Organic Distilled Vinegar, Organic Garlic, Organic Tangerine Juice Concentrate, Salt, Organic Dates, Organic Raisins, Organic Lime Juice Concentrate Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Habanero Hot Sauce”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cayenne Pepper Sauce (Red Cayenne Peppers, Vinegar, Salt, Garlic), Olive Oil Infused with Black Truffle Essence, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Distilled White Vinegar, Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Garlic Powder, Xanthum Gum, Black Truffle Powder (Tuber Melanosporum) Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
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