Veeba Chef's Special Tomato Ketchup — ENGINEERED

Name: Veeba Chef's Special Tomato Ketchup
Brand: veeba

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) — Added back as a filler/texture agent; harmless but dilutes.
Tomato Paste (28%) (safe) — The real food here — concentrated tomato with lycopene and some potassium.
Sugar (concerning) — Added sugar, third by weight, feeds yeast and adds sweetness with no nutritional benefit.
Iodised Salt (safe) — Small amount for flavor balance; iodine is beneficial.
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) — Real garlic, cumin, coriander, chilli and more provide flavor with minor benefit.
Preservative INS211 (Sodium Benzoate) (moderate) — Synthetic preservative; can form benzene with vitamin C under heat, and signals a product built for shelf life.

Healthier alternatives

Vegetable Ketchup
Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup (BIO)
Simple Truth Organic Thick & Chunky Mild Salsa
Tabasco Premium Salsa
Salsa