Ketchup is one of the most common condiments in UK households — found in over 90% of kitchens. But not all ketchups are created equal. We scanned 8 popular UK ketchups to compare their ingredients, processing levels, and nutritional profiles.
What We Compared
For each ketchup, we looked at the NOVA score, IngredScan quality score, sugar content per 100g, number of additives, and overall ingredient simplicity. All products were scanned using their standard UK formulations as of early 2026.
The Results
1. Heinz Tomato Ketchup
The UK's best-selling ketchup. Ingredients: tomatoes (148g per 100g ketchup), spirit vinegar, sugar, salt, spice and herb extracts, spice. NOVA 3. Relatively simple ingredient list with no artificial additives. However, sugar content is notable at around 23g per 100g.
2. Heinz No Added Sugar Ketchup
Replaces sugar with sweetener (sucralose). While it has less sugar (under 3g per 100g), the addition of sucralose and modified corn starch pushes it to NOVA 4. This is a common trade-off — reducing sugar often means adding more processed ingredients.
3. HP Tomato Ketchup
Contains tomato puree, spirit vinegar, sugar, modified cornflour, salt, onion powder. The modified cornflour makes this NOVA 4. Sugar content is comparable to Heinz at around 22g per 100g.
4. Tesco Tomato Ketchup (Own Brand)
Tomatoes, sugar, spirit vinegar, modified maize starch, salt, onion powder, garlic powder. NOVA 4 due to the modified starch. Similar sugar level to branded options. Often less than half the price of Heinz.
5. Daddies Tomato Ketchup
Tomatoes, sugar, spirit vinegar, modified maize starch, salt, spice extract. NOVA 4. Very similar formulation to HP (both owned by the same parent company). No significant nutritional advantage over competitors.
6. Mr Organic Tomato Ketchup
Organic tomatoes, raw cane sugar, apple cider vinegar, sea salt. NOVA 3. One of the simplest ingredient lists of any ketchup we tested. Organic certification. Sugar content around 18g per 100g — lower than most. Available at Waitrose, Ocado, and independent stores.
7. Biona Organic Ketchup
Organic tomatoes, unrefined cane sugar, cider vinegar, sea salt, mixed spice, garlic. NOVA 3. Similar to Mr Organic with a clean, simple recipe. Slightly lower sugar content at approximately 17g per 100g. Widely available in health food shops and some supermarkets.
8. Stokes Real Tomato Ketchup
Tomatoes, sugar, spirit vinegar, salt, cayenne pepper, clove, allspice. NOVA 3. Made in Suffolk with a traditional recipe. No modified starch or additives. Sugar content around 20g per 100g. Available at Waitrose, Ocado, and independent retailers.
Key Takeaways
- NOVA 3 ketchups (Heinz Original, Mr Organic, Biona, Stokes) use simple, recognisable ingredients without modified starches or artificial sweeteners
- NOVA 4 ketchups (HP, Tesco own-brand, Daddies, Heinz No Added Sugar) typically contain modified starch, which is an industrially processed ingredient
- "No added sugar" doesn't mean healthier — the Heinz no-sugar variant scores NOVA 4 due to sucralose and modified starch, while the original scores NOVA 3
- Sugar content varies from 3g (no-sugar variants) to 23g per 100g — but all ketchup is a condiment used in small quantities, so the absolute amount consumed is typically low
- Price doesn't always correlate — Heinz Original (NOVA 3) is often cheaper than "healthier" alternatives but has a cleaner ingredient list than some own-brand NOVA 4 options
Our Pick
If you want the simplest, least processed ketchup widely available in UK supermarkets, Heinz Original Tomato Ketchup is a solid choice — it's NOVA 3, uses real ingredients, and is available everywhere. For an even cleaner option with organic certification and lower sugar, look at Mr Organic or Biona, though they come at a premium price.
The most important thing? Ketchup is a condiment — you're using tablespoons, not cupfuls. Don't lose sleep over which ketchup you buy. Focus your ingredient awareness on the foods you eat in large quantities every day.