Heinz Tomato Ketchup

[sandyRoe]

I bought a bottle of this the other day for the first time in years. It tasted incredibly sweet. Has it always been like that or have they changed the recipe?

[sherrardk]

I don't think it has changed. Have you tried Aldi's (if you've got one), loads cheaper than Heinz and really tomatoey (it's too tomatoey for me)?

[sandyRoe]

There is an Aldi in Belfast. I'll try a bottle of their own brand.

[Lie-in King]

I like the Tesco ketchup - this from 2011 -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387285/Red-faced-Heinz-ketchup-comes-BOTTOM-taste-tests.html

[sherrardk]

We go three or four bottles a week and it's half the price from Aldi.

[sherrardk]

^ through

[diddlydo]

errrrr - how is it possible to get through several bottles a week???One bottle lasts us months!

[sherrardk]

Do you have five children?

[diddlydo]

No but even so........that's excessive. Have you ever tried running out of it?

[sherrardk]

No, it's not excessive. My children are excellent eaters and they like tomato ketchup. They don't like 'wet' food (gravies, sauces, etc) they like ketchup so that is with they get. The bottles are not very big and they are made of tomatoes (not poison). I would be concerned if they were chucking salt all over their meals. Some of them will have ketchup with their lunches in a weekend too (sandwiches or cheese and crackers, etc). Boy #1 used to take ketchup to school in his packed lunch. His food, his choice to how he eats it.

[heathfield]

Heinz changed their recipe for their tomato ketchup in the summer of 2010 by reducing the salt content. Because of this, they also adjusted the spices they use to try to keep nearer to the original flavour. Many manufacturers have been doing this, including HP Sauce, which now tastes different to me.

[EdmundD]

We keep a box of Heinz Ketchup sachets for emergencies and holidays (imagine a holiday with no ketchup !!) The recipe for ketchup isn't the only one that's changed. I used to love their Barbecue Beans but now they just taste sweet.

[diddlydo]

I would be very worried if I had reared children who don't like food with gravies or sauces but only things smothered in tomato ketchup which has loads of additives, sugar and salt.

[sherrardk]

Worry noted but dismissed. My children eat a varied, home-cooked diet including lots of fruit, veg and fruit juices with limited snacks and treats. The eldest only has ketchup occasionally so I suspect the others will gradually lessen their deadly consumpton. They are rarely ill (just usual childhood ailments and the bugs that are doing the rounds), they are all doing brilliantly in school and have excellent manners.

[EcclesCake]

Can't help regarding the ketchup as I only ever dunk skinny french fries in it or use it for a BBQ sauce.

With regards kids and sauces though I thought that was a standard part of growing up. I hated gravy, sauces or pretty much any wet food when I was a kid, each component had to be independent on the plate. As time moved on I became more tolerant and accepting of sauce/gravy.

From my limited experience this seems quite normal for kids as their palate develops.

[hc4361]

sherrardk, you don't have to justify your family's eating habits to anyone.

I still love mashed potato with tomato sauce when I have spicy chicken.

[murraymints]

A chip is not a chip without the ketchup !

[mccfluff]

noooooooo mayo only for chips, ketchup is for a bacon sarnie only

[smoneybags]

Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene and processed tomatoes are richer than raw ones: http://www.sjgov.org/SelectSJFromDEV/NutriBenefits.aspx?prod=Tomatoes&item=Nutritional%20Benefit&PageColor=FFD0C5

[2sp_]

We go through a bottle in next to no time too, sher. Our kids aren't as old as yours (or as numerous!), but do enjoy it on certain foods.

As you say, it's not poisonous. And if it means that my kids will eat all their sausages, then they can have a dod of red sauce!

[EcclesCake]

You are a philistine fluff, French's Mustard on a bacon sarnie or brown sauce at an absolute push.......