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Ketchup / Catsup History

What are ketchup's legal ingredients and how thick is it?

By , About.com Guide

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Ketchup / Catsup

© 2007 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Government Standards for Ketchup

Government standard regulations for ketchup or catsup basically state the ingredients include: cooked and strained tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion or garlic flavors, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, mace, allspice, nutmeg, ginger,and cayenne.

Old grading standards dating back to 1953 dictated ketchup that flowed 9 centimeters in thirty seconds received the Grade A rating. The standards were revised in 1991 so that now Grade A ketchup need only ooze 3 to 7 centimeters in thirty seconds to make the grade. In other words, this means the old ketchup used to be thinner. Today's ketchup is thicker.

More About Ketchup

Ketchup / Catsup Storage and Fun Facts
What are ketchup's Legal Ingredients and how thick is it? Government Standards for Ketchup
Ketchup and Health
Ketchup / Catsup History
Ketchup / Catsup Recipes
Ketchup Photo © 2007 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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