Very random but why do you have to refrigerate soft taco shells after opening?

Question

The pkg says to refrigerate after opening, why is this? Does it just help them to stay fresh?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Microorganisms (bacteria etc.) need 6 things to grow to levels that will make you sick. FAT-TOM

F (Food) - you have that with the shells themselves - good for bacteria
A (Acid) - shells are low in acid - good for bacteria
T (Time) & T (Temperature) - warm temps for long enough time allow bacteria to grow
O (oxygen) - doesn't really factor into your question - ignore it for now
M (moisture) - soft taco shells are moist - good for bacteria

Take away any one of these and you're okay. Example: Hard tacos have less moisture therefore don't require refrigeration. Pickles are high in acid so they don't require refrigeration.

If you have a somewhat moist food (soft taco shells), left out where it's warm for long enough, it will start to spoil. You'd probably be okay for a while as there isn't a LOT of water and the flour in the shells isn't bacteria's favorite food but it will not last nearly as long. Knowing this, the manufacturer writes refrigerate after opening on the bag to cover their butt in case someone left it out for a long, long time and then ate it & got sick.

Source(s):

I'm a chef & need to know sanitation for obvious reasons.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks for all the info! Definitely makes sense.

Answer 2

no they get stale pretty fast and taste nasty i know it happened to me