Heinz tomato ketchup can no longer be called ketchup in Israel, despite the fact that the US brand has become almost synonymous with the condiment in most of the rest of the world.
The country’s health ministry has insisted Heinz tomato ketchup should be called, “tomato seasoning”, ruling the product does not contain enough “tomato solids” to be considered ketchup. The ruling came after a complaint from local competitor, Osem.
Osem claimed the Heinz product contains 21 percent tomato concentrate – a long way from the 61 percent that it claims. Israeli food standards require tomato ketchup to have 41% tomato concentrate.
Heinz’s distributor in Israel says Osem’s claims, “have no substance.”
“The word ‘ketchup’ is indicated in English on the front of the bottle while recognising that the Israeli standard for ketchup has yet to be brought in line with US and European accepted international standards. The back label of our ketchup sold in Israel reflects current local requirements for ingredient labelling and the Hebrew name for the product,” said Nigel Dickie, Heinz’s Director of Corporate and Government Affairs.
