Heinz Tomato Ketchup
A simple, short-ingredient-list condiment with no artificial colors or preservatives, but it carries a notable amount of added sugar and salt for a food that is easy to over-use.
Ingredients (8)
Tomato Concentrate (from Red Ripe Tomatoes)
The main ingredient provides lycopene, an antioxidant, plus small amounts of vitamin C and potassium. Cooking and concentrating tomatoes increases the bioavailability of lycopene.
Distilled Vinegar
A traditional acidifier and natural preservative that gives ketchup its tang. It is safe in food quantities and contains virtually no calories.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (US version)
ControversialAdded sugar contributes to excess calorie intake, and high consumption of fructose-rich sweeteners is linked with weight gain and metabolic issues. Metabolically it is similar to sucrose, but it is an easy source of hidden added sugar.
Corn Syrup (US version)
A second sweetener that raises total sugar content and adds no nutritional value. Having multiple sugar sources lets sugar contribute more than the ingredient order suggests.
Salt
Salt is needed for flavor and preservation, but ketchup is often used in generous amounts and the sodium adds up quickly alongside other salty foods like fries and burgers.
Spice
Used in very small amounts for flavor. Generic labeling is not very specific, but there are no known safety concerns.
Onion Powder
A natural flavoring made from dehydrated onion. It is used in trace amounts and is safe for the general population.
Natural Flavoring
ControversialThis is a catch-all term for flavor compounds derived from natural sources. It is regarded as safe, but the lack of transparency about exactly what it contains makes it less than ideal.
Healthier alternatives
Same flavor profile with no added sugar and about 50-70% fewer calories per serving
Find on AmazonSweetened with no added sugar at all and made with organic tomatoes and simple ingredients
Find on AmazonMade with organic tomatoes and cane sugar instead of HFCS, with a cleaner ingredient list
Find on AmazonKetchup was originally a fermented fish sauce called 'kê-tsiap' from Southeast China. Tomatoes were not added until the early 1800s, and in the 1830s it was even sold as a medicine for indigestion.