Veeba Chef's Special Tomato Ketchup — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Veeba Chef's Special Tomato Ketchup by veeba ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

Sugar is the #2 ingredient, propped up by modified starch and a stabilizer stack. This is a sweetened, thickened tomato product engineered for a smooth spread, not just tomatoes.

Why this verdict

• Added sugar is the #2 ingredient — 16.5g added sugar per serving
• Modified starch (INS1422) fakes the thickness of real reduced tomato
• Stacked stabilizers: modified starch + xanthan gum
• Sodium benzoate preservative (INS211) for shelf life
• Officially NOVA-4 ultra-processed

Ingredients (9)

• Water (safe) — Used as a basic ingredient in bread.
• Tomato Paste (28%) (safe) — The real food here — concentrated tomato with lycopene and some potassium.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Iodised Salt (moderate) — Necessary for thyroid health, but overuse can contribute to hypertension.
• Stabilizer INS1422 (Acetylated Distarch Adipate / modified starch) (moderate) — Chemically modified starch used to fake a thick, smooth body cheaply; a hallmark of ultra-processing.
• Stabilizer INS415 (Xanthan Gum) (moderate) — Fermented thickener; generally tolerated but part of the engineered texture stack.
• Acidity Regulator INS260 (Acetic Acid / vinegar) (safe) — Standard ketchup tang and mild preservation.
• Spices and Condiments (safe) — Actual spices used for masala flavour; the one genuinely wholesome part.
• Preservative INS211 (Sodium Benzoate) (concerning) — Synthetic preservative; can form benzene traces with vitamin C and is linked to hyperactivity concerns.

Healthier alternatives

• Tiptree Tomato Ketchup
• Vegetable Ketchup
• Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup (BIO)
• Good & Gather Organic Ketchup Reduced Sugar and Sodium
• Central Market Private Reserve Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil