Search our database for specific regular ketchup products to see individual processing scores and ingredient lists.
Search Regular Ketchup products →Regular Ketchup vs Organic Ketchup Comparison
The "organic" label on ketchup indicates the sourcing of ingredients (organic tomatoes, organic cane sugar) but says little about processing level. Both regular and organic ketchup use the same manufacturing process: cooking tomato concentrate with sweetener, vinegar, and spices.
Condiments & SaucesQuick Answer
Both are Level 3. Organic ketchup swaps HFCS for organic cane sugar and uses organic tomatoes, but the cooking, concentrating, and bottling process is identical. "Organic" describes farming practices, not processing level.
Regular Ketchup vs Organic Ketchup
Regular Ketchup
Organic Ketchup
Search our database for specific organic ketchup products to see individual processing scores and ingredient lists.
Search Organic Ketchup products →Our Verdict
Both are Level 3. Organic ketchup swaps HFCS for organic cane sugar and uses organic tomatoes, but the cooking, concentrating, and bottling process is identical. "Organic" describes farming practices, not processing level.
Important Note
Processing levels can vary significantly between brands and specific products within each category. Always check the ingredient list of the specific product you are considering. Use our product search to look up exact processing scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does organic ketchup mean less processed?
Not meaningfully. Organic ketchup uses organically grown tomatoes and cane sugar instead of HFCS, but the manufacturing process is the same: tomato concentration, cooking with sweeteners and vinegar, and pasteurization. Both are Level 3.
Is the sugar in organic ketchup better than HFCS?
From a processing standpoint, organic cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup are both refined sweeteners. HFCS undergoes enzymatic conversion that cane sugar does not, making it marginally more processed, but the difference in the final ketchup product is minimal.
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