Your pantry might be stocked with the tomato sauce you bought the last time there was a sale, but it should always go in the fridge once you have opened it. In the olden days, many people used to keep tomato sauce in the pantry, but since then these products have gotten much healthier, therefore they now contain less unhealthy preservatives such as salt.

2. Dijon Mustard

Although this favorite hot dog condiment won’t spoil if it’s kept in the pantry, keeping it in the fridge removes any risk of your Dijon losing the flavor you love. Furthermore, it’ll last longer if it’s refrigerated.

3. Bananas

You already know that you should keep raw meat such as chicken and beef in the fridge, and the same applies to cured meat such as salami. In a study carried out in 2006, researchers found that 23% of the tested 1,020 dry Italian salami contained the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.

5. Pure Maple Syrup

If you love syrup, why would you want to eat anything other than the 100% pure maple stuff? However, unlike syrup that’s only maple-flavored, this pure kind must be kept in the fridge to prevent mold.

6.Corn on the Cob

Either cook it right away or toss in the refrigerator. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an ear of corn can lose 50% of its sugar if left at room temperature. If you opt to place in the fridge, eat it within two days for the best taste.

Any type of whole-grain flour is healthier than your average all-purpose white flour. This is because these flours contain some or all of the bran and germ from the original wheat, meaning they use whole grain. However, the oils in the germ and bran can spoil very quickly. Therefore, storing whole-grain flours in the freezer can significantly slow down the spoiling process, increasing shelf life.

8. Organic Peanut Butter

Typical peanut butter, such as Jif spreads, can be kept in your pantry. However, if your peanut butter is organic, the oils will separate and turn rancid. These types need to be stored in the fridge. The same goes for other organic nut butters.

9. Fresh Herbs

While basil can thrive in your pantry, many other herbs need to stay in the fridge to remain fresh. Hardy herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, should be washed, wrapped in a damp paper towel and then in plastic, and kept in your fridge’s crisper drawer. Soft herbs such as dill, cilantro, and parsley should also be kept out of your pantry. Keep them in plastic bags in your fridge.

10. Opened Red Wine

All wine lovers are probably screaming blasphemy right now, but it’s true. Opened red wines should be re-corked and refrigerated to stay fresh for longer. The cold temperatures will slow down the oxidation process.