Full Breakdown
Supermarket Ketchup Test Reveals Wide Variation in Tomato Content, Sugar Levels and Additives
8/22/2026, 9:35:27 PM
Core Findings
A comparative tasting and laboratory analysis of twelve supermarket ketchup brands showed tomato concentration from 148 g to 281 g per 100 g of sauce, total sugars from 16 % to 23.9 %, and differing use of thickeners. Some products used modified maize starch; others were marketed as additive-free.
Brands and Key Metrics
| Brand | Tomato Content (g/100 g) | Total Sugar (%) | Notable Additives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-op On the Side | 167 | 22 | Modified maize starch |
| Sainsbury’s So Organic | 38 % puree (?38 g) | 20.9 | Certified organic, no thickeners |
| Mr Organic Italian | 80 % puree (?80 g) | 16 | No additives listed |
| Essential Waitrose & Partners | 281 | 23.9 | Agave syrup |
| Unnamed brand (high-sugar, low-tomato) | 148 | 22.8 | Additive-free |
| Unnamed brand (high-tomato, moderate-sugar) | 75 % puree (?75 g) | 21.5 | Modified maize starch |
| Unnamed brand (low-tomato, low-sugar) | 148 | 17.9 | Modified maize starch |
| Unnamed brand (thin, slimy texture) | 148 | 16 | Modified maize starch |
| Additional tested sauces | 242 (incl. fruit) | 20 | Potassium sorbate |
| Additional tested sauces | 167 | 22 | Modified maize starch |
| Additional tested sauces | 151 (approx.) | 16.4 | No additives |
| Additional tested sauces | 151 (approx.) | 20 | No additives |
*Values are from label analysis; “g per 100 g” denotes raw tomato used before cooking.*
How Tomato Content Was Measured
The test recorded raw-tomato weight per 100 g of finished ketchup and the puree percentage on the label. Above 200 g/100 g was classified “high,” below 150 g “low.” A puree percentage above 50 % signaled a high-tomato product.
Sugar Levels and Sweeteners
Total sugar ranged from 16 % to 23.9 %. The highest level (23.9 %) was in the Essential Waitrose & Partners sauce, which used agave syrup. Other brands relied on regular sugar or fruit-derived sugars; the 242 g-tomato sauce also contained pears and apples, contributing to its 20 % sugar.
Additives and Thickeners
Modified maize starch appeared in several lower-tomato products as a thickener. Potassium sorbate was found in one fruit-rich sauce. “Additive-free” or “organic” labels generally omitted thickeners, listing only tomato puree, sugar and natural flavorings.
Consumer Implications
Price does not reliably predict tomato concentration; some premium bottles contained less than half the tomato content of cheaper alternatives. Shoppers seeking higher fruit content should check raw-tomato grams or puree percentages, while those limiting sugar may prefer the lower-sugar, additive-free options.
Gaps and Limitations
The test did not assess the nutritional impact of sugars beyond percentage, nor micronutrients such as lycopene. The methodology for measuring raw tomato weight before cooking was not detailed, leaving some uncertainty about conversion to final-product content.
What’s Next
Manufacturers have been invited to comment, and several retailers plan to review formulations ahead of the next grocery-category review. No formal regulatory response has been announced.
