I'd been using this syrup for about a month when I decided to read
the back: Refrigerate after opening. I thought to myself...What?
This isn't maple syrup, which does have to be refrigerated. I was
using cheap store brand pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is supposed
to be able to be stored at room temperature. I researched pancake
syrup a little, and I read nowhere that you should refrigerate it.
So why does Kroger brand pancake syrup require refrigeration? I
called the 1-800 number to find out. The lady on the phone wanted
to know the product's barcode and then she confirmed the item I
had. I asked her why the syrup had to be refrigerated and she said,
"It's fine in the pantry, but it's recommended to be refrigerated for
better quality and flavor." Her answer still doesn't make much sense
to me. Either it should be refrigerated or it shouldn't. Maybe Kroger
should borrow the sentence from the back of Heinz Tomato Ketchup:
For best results, refrigerate after opening.
