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Ketchup Adulteration: Pizza, burgers to meatloaf and even eggs seem to be incomplete without ketchup. People pair the strangest of dishes to make them taste delicious. However, little do people know how the sweet sauce is produced on a large scale, the ingredients used and whether it is safe for consumption. A video that is making the rounds on the internet shows what ingredients are added to a ketchup to make it taste like a tomato sauce when in reality it isn’t one. In the video, the narrator described ketchup as a “chemical cocktail disguised as an innocent sauce.” He explained that the sauce contained “refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid from GMO mould, sodium benzoate and artificial flavours.” While the natural benefits of tomatoes are lost during chemical processing, what is left behind is the sugary syrup that creates an addiction.

Tomato ketchup, which was once considered a harmless condiment, may now pose hidden health risks due to the use of artificial colours, starches and even synthetic substitutes for real tomatoes. With the rise of food safety concerns, especially in everyday staples like ketchup, consumers are left questioning the authenticity of what’s on their plate. The increasing food adulteration, tomato ketchup is not an exception. However, following certain tips can help people identify adulterated tomato ketchup and ensure that what they’re consuming is safe.

Tips To Identify Adulterated Tomato Ketchup

Check For Thickness

Pure tomato sauce is thick but not excessively sticky. If you find that the sauce is usually thick or sticky, it means that it may contain additives like arrowroot or corn starch, which are artificially used to thicken the sauce. These ingredients can affect the texture and taste, making it viscous and less natural.

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Look At The Colour

Real tomato sauce has a dark red or brownish colour, reflecting the natural hue of ripe tomatoes. On the other hand, adulterated tomato sauce features a bright, unnaturally vivid red colour, indicating the presence of synthetic dyes. A shiny, overly bright red sauce should raise suspicion.

Taste Test

One of the easiest ways to detect fake tomato sauce is by its taste. Pure tomatoes have a tangy, slightly sweet flavour. However, if the sauce tastes too sharp, overly sweet or artificial, it could be adulterated. A fake sauce might also have an unpleasant or overpowering flavour due to the chemicals used in its production.

Adulterated Tomato Ketchup

How To Spot Adulterated Tomato Ketchup (Image Credits: Canva)

Water Test

This is another test to identify adulterated tomato ketchup. Put a spoonful of ketchup in a glass of water. If it gets quickly dissolved and leaves a red colour, the sauce is made with synthetic dyes. The pure tomato ketchup will float in water and will not change its colour.

ALSO READ: Is Your Tomato Ketchup Fake? 5 Easy Ways To Check Adulteration At Home

Iodine Test

Put some iodine in the ketchup and mix well. If the sauce turns blue, it means that it is adulterated with starches like arrowroot. Arrowroot is commonly used as a thickening agent. The authentic tomato ketchup does not turn blue when iodine is added to it.