Key findings
- 1Ketchup is effectively a sweetened tomato sauce; sugar is the #2 ingredient after tomatoes
- 2Heinz ketchup contains high fructose corn syrup in the US formulation
- 3Simple crushed tomatoes with spices are a less processed alternative for cooking
- 4In our analysis, ketchup averages a Processing Score of 5.4, which is Level 3
Why is Ketchup Level 3 on average?
Ketchup begins as tomato concentrate (a processed ingredient), then adds sweetener (HFCS or sugar), distilled vinegar (industrially produced from corn), salt, onion powder, and "natural flavoring" (a proprietary blend). The high sugar content (4g per tablespoon) is often surprising to consumers. Organic ketchups typically use organic sugar instead of HFCS but are otherwise similarly processed.
How 470 ketchup products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Ketchup brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a ketchup label
- 1
Standard ketchup has ~4g sugar per tablespoon; check the label
- 2
Organic ketchup replaces HFCS with organic sugar but is otherwise similar
- 3
"No sugar added" ketchups use sucralose or stevia, different but still processed
- 4
Homemade ketchup from tomatoes, vinegar, and spices is far less processed
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Frequently asked questions
Is Heinz ketchup ultra-processed?
Heinz ketchup lists tomato concentrate, high fructose corn syrup (or sugar in some versions), distilled vinegar, and "natural flavoring." It is simple compared to many products, but it is a sweetened, industrially made sauce. Each product page shows its own score.
Is organic ketchup less processed?
Slightly. Organic ketchup typically uses organic sugar instead of HFCS and organic tomatoes, but the overall processing is similar. The ingredient count and types remain comparable.