0.0
Most Processed Ketchup & Condiments Brands
Classic ketchup is tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices — a relatively simple condiment. But industrial formulations swap tomatoes for tomato concentrate, add high fructose corn syrup, and include "natural flavoring" from industrial extracts. Mustard is one of the least processed condiments, while BBQ sauces are among the most.
Ketchup & Condiments at a Glance
Total Products
29,424
in our database
Brands Analyzed
2,158
unique brands
Avg Processing Score
6.3
High processing
Processing Distribution
Minimal2%
Processed40%
Highly37%
Ultra21%
15 Most Processed Ketchup & Condiments Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swiss | 4 | 21.8 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Red robin | 3 | 17.9 1.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Prince chopper | 3 | 17.6 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | The depot restaurant & tavern | 3 | 17.6 4.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Alamo red | 3 | 17.2 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Armour star | 3 | 16.5 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | Big mikes bbq smokehouse | 3 | 15.5 4.3 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | Tokyo express | 3 | 15.1 1.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Accent | 4 | 15.0 3.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | J.l. kraft | 4 | 14.9 3.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | Coach tonys | 3 | 14.8 3.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Mateos | 3 | 14.7 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 13 | Herdez | 3 | 14.7 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 14 | Captain curts famous godfather | 3 | 14.5 3.3 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | Budweiser | 5 | 14.5 3.9 | 5 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
4 ketchup & condiments products
Ultra-processed: 4 (100%)
Minimal: 0 (0%)
21.8
Ultra
Processing
0.0
Unknown
Nutrition
3 ketchup & condiments products
Ultra-processed: 3 (100%)
Minimal: 0 (0%)
17.9
Ultra
Processing
1.5
Poor
Nutrition
3 ketchup & condiments products
Ultra-processed: 3 (100%)
Minimal: 0 (0%)
17.6
Ultra
Processing
3.0
Fair
Nutrition
3 ketchup & condiments products
Ultra-processed: 3 (100%)
Minimal: 0 (0%)
17.6
Ultra
Processing
4.0
Fair
Nutrition
3 ketchup & condiments products
Ultra-processed: 3 (100%)
Minimal: 0 (0%)
17.2
Ultra
Processing
5.0
Good
Nutrition
Least Processed Ketchup & Condiments Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
LOUISIANA, HOT SAUCE
Louisiana1 ingredient
1.0
3.0
HAITOGLOU BROS S.A., GREEK MACEDONIAN TAHINI
Haitoglou bros s.a.1 ingredient
1.0
8.0
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, GARLIC
Galantino1 ingredient
1.0
5.0
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
5.0
LIQUID AMINOS ALL PURPOSE SEASONING
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
5.0
CREAM OF TARTAR
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
5.0
LOUISIANA, HOT SAUCE
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
3.0
HAITOGLOU BROS S.A., GREEK MACEDONIAN TAHINI
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
8.0
THE BACKYARD FOOD COMPANY, RHODE ISLAND RED RELISH-HOT
Unknown Brand1 ingredient
1.0
4.0
HAITOGLOU BROS S.A., GREEK MACEDONIAN TAHINI
Haitoglou bros s.a.1 ingredient
1.0
8.0
Most Processed Ketchup & Condiments Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE, GARLIC BUTTER
The kings sauce79 ingredients
23.7
1.0
GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE, GARLIC BUTTER
The kings sauce79 ingredients
23.7
1.0
CAMP FIRE SAUCE
Red robin85 ingredients
22.4
2.0
CAMP FIRE SAUCE
Unknown Brand85 ingredients
22.4
2.0
CAMP FIRE SAUCE
Red robin85 ingredients
22.4
2.0
ORIGINAL BARBEQUE SAUCE, ORIGINAL
Swiss52 ingredients
21.8
0.0
ORIGINAL BARBEQUE SAUCE, ORIGINAL
Swiss52 ingredients
21.8
0.0
ORIGINAL BARBEQUE SAUCE, ORIGINAL
Swiss52 ingredients
21.8
0.0
ORIGINAL BARBEQUE SAUCE, ORIGINAL
Swiss52 ingredients
21.8
0.0
BBQ SAUCE
Hanks smoked briskets65 ingredients
21.4
3.0
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Tomatoes (not "tomato concentrate") as the first ingredient indicates less processing
- 2HFCS in ketchup is unnecessary — better brands use cane sugar or no added sugar
- 3Yellow mustard (mustard seed, vinegar, turmeric, salt) is consistently Level 1-2
- 4BBQ sauces with "smoke flavor" use liquid smoke — an industrial flavoring concentrate
Least Processed Ketchup & Condiments Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galantino | 8 | 1.5 5.0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | Louisiana gold | 3 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Bourbon street bad | 4 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Fast shore | 4 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Pure ghost | 3 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Whisker bomb | 5 | 2.0 2.4 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | The preservation society | 4 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 8 | Bourbon street really bad | 4 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | Haddon house | 4 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | A. bauers | 3 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | Glovers pepper sauce | 3 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | White foods | 3 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Alessi | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | North south | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 15 | Hawthorne valley | 3 | 2.0 6.5 | 0 | 3 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ketchup contain high fructose corn syrup?
HFCS is cheaper than cane sugar and provides a consistent sweetness profile. It is an ultra-processed sweetener made through enzymatic conversion of corn starch.
Are specialty condiments more or less processed?
It varies widely. Artisan hot sauces (3-5 ingredients) score Level 1. Specialty BBQ sauces with liquid smoke, modified starches, and multiple sweeteners score Level 4.
What is "natural flavoring" in condiments?
Natural flavoring is an industrial extract derived from natural sources through chemical solvents. Despite the "natural" label, it undergoes significant processing and is different from using whole spices.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.