Will hot sauce go bad if stored in an unopened flask?!
Will hot sauce go bad if stored in an unopened flask?
We are considering storing hot sauce in an unopened stainless steel flask but want to make sure it won't go bad if kept for awhile as a collector's item. It will go in hot and then cool off. Only qualified and knowledgeable responses please, remember the FDA wants the food to be safe. Thx so much.
Answers:
No. Do not store acidic foods in stainless steel. The reason is not so much a food safety issue as a vessel safety one. The acidic nature of the sauce over time will eat at the surface of the metal, the very thing that makes it anti rust will be stripped away (again over time). Try glass.
Yes. If it is left open it will go bad. Microorganism such as bacteria, yeasts, and molds do not care about the heat of capsicum(chili pepper). What is likely to grow are lactic or acetic acid bacteria. They are named for the chemical they produce through their metabolic pathways. This will of course make your sauce sour. Ah well more sour than it is if it has vinegar. : )
Going in hot is not so much of a concern as it will cool off. But the storage in a warm aerobic environment is asking for trouble. Use food grade plastic, glass, or a safe ceramic vessel and keep in a cool, preferable refrigerated environment. For flavor sake keep it sealed as well.
This applies if you plan to eat it at some time.