Ask Heinz If It Makes Non-HFCS Ketchup, Get Health And Diet Lecture

Drew wrote into Heinz asking if they company makes any ketchup that isn’t infested by oh-so-bad-for-you high-fructose corn syrup. Instead of a simple “no,” he got a lecture on diet and exercise.

Here’s the email Drew says Heinz sent him:

Thank you for visiting our web site. As you can imagine, consumer feedback is very important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns about the use of high fructose corn syrup in Heinz products. Recent media reports have called attention to high fructose corn syrup and its role in the U.S. diet. Many of these articles attempt to link its consumption to obesity.

It is always important to recognize that excess calories from any source can contribute to increased weight in the absence of exercise. It is incorrect to focus on any specific food or ingredient in attempting to address obesity. In moderation, all foods can fit into a healthful, balanced diet. The Food & Drug Administration’s Obesity Working Group released a report whose primary recommendation was ‘calorie count.’ This recommendation reflects sound science and a wealth of research.

This report suggests that instead of focusing on any one food ingredient, the most important message is that, to manage weight, you must balance calories consumed against energy expended. To lose weight, calorie expenditure must be greater than calories consumed. Heinz is committed to providing a variety of options for different consumer lifestyles. As a result, we are extending to our consumers yet another choice for enjoying Heinz Ketchup – to include Simply Heinz Tomato Ketchup which is made with sugar. Production will begin in March and product will be available nationally in supermarkets around May, 2010.

This adds to our Heinz Ketchup line selection, which, beyond our base ketchup, also includes Heinz Organic Ketchup-made with organic sugar, Heinz Hot & Spicy Ketchup-made with Tabasco, Heinz No Salt Added Ketchup and Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup. Once again, we are always glad to hear from our consumers, especially one as loyal to Heinz products as you.

Heinz Consumer Resource Center
Heinzconsumeraffairs@us.hjheinz.com

Did you learn any lessons here? Such as maybe make your own ketchup unless you want a dose of HFCS?

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