The Israeli health ministry has ruled that Heinz brand ketchup, doesn’t contain enough “tomato solids” to qualify as ketchup, and must now be referred to as “tomato seasoning” on its Hebrew packaging, the Times of Israel reports.
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They added: “The original, quality recipe for Heinz Tomato Ketchup sold in Israel and the standard for ketchup around the world remains unchanged”.
The ruling came after competitor Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer which produces much of the ketchup consumed in the country, executed a lobbying campaign against Heinz.
Israel’s health ministry has sparked an global debate surrounding the very definition of ketchup when it declared that Heinz ketchup is not, in fact, ketchup. Why?
Osem accused Heinz of having only 21 percent tomato concentrate in its ketchup instead of the 61 percent it claims in advertising. The company that distributes Heinz in Israel, Diplomat, says that Obviously, Osem, who has the monopoly, would be delighted to be the only ones selling this product in Israel.
Israeli food standards state a sauce has to contain 41% tomato concentrate to be considered a ketchup. Haaretz reports that Heinz’s local importer, Diplomat, is working with the Health Ministry to legally change the definition of ketchup from containing 10% to 6% tomato solids.
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This is not the first time ketchup has sparked worldwide contention.
