Simple Truth Organic Ketchup

How this organic ketchup stands out in a sea of mass-produced condiments

Ketchup is one of the most ubiquitous condiments found in refrigerators across America. The familiar red sauce adorns everything from burgers and fries to macaroni and cheese. Most mass-produced ketchups contain a lengthy list of preservatives, thickeners, artificial colors and questionable sweeteners. However, more health-conscious consumers are seeking out organic ketchup made with simple, natural ingredients.

One organic ketchup that is gaining popularity is Simple Truth Organic Ketchup by Kroger. This affordable organic option promises a flavorful tomato experience without any artificial junk. But does Simple Truth Organic Ketchup live up to its wholesome marketing? Let’s take a closer look at what sets this organic ketchup apart.

What Exactly is Simple Truth Organic Ketchup?

Simple Truth is Kroger’s natural and organic private label brand. The Simple Truth Organic Ketchup contains just tomato concentrate, organic cane sugar, vinegar, onion, sea salt and natural spices. It comes in a 24 ounce squeezable plastic bottle and is available at Kroger grocery stores.

According to Kroger, Simple Truth promises foods with “easily understood ingredients” and no artificial preservatives or flavors. The brand claims to avoid over 100 undesirable ingredients in its products. Simple Truth Organic Ketchup boasts a short and simple list that even picky eaters can get behind.

Certified Organic From Seed to Bottle

An important question for any organic product is does it live up to its organic claims? For Simple Truth Organic Ketchup, the answer is yes.

This ketchup is certified organic by the USDA. This means it abides by strict guidelines covering everything from soil quality to pesticide use. The tomatoes used in Simple Truth Organic Ketchup are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Farm workers even use natural compost to enrich the soil instead of chemical additives.

Once harvested, the organic tomatoes get steam-cooked and turned into a thick, concentrated paste. This tomato paste then becomes the first ingredient in the ketchup. So you get an authentically organic, tomato-powered condiment.

Available Exclusively at Kroger Grocery Stores

Since Simple Truth is Kroger’s store brand, this organic ketchup can only be purchased at Kroger stores. The grocery chain has nearly 2,800 locations in 35 states. So there’s a good chance you have a local Kroger nearby if you want to try this ketchup.

You can find Simple Truth Organic Ketchup sitting on shelves near the other mainstream ketchup brands. Just look for its distinctive green label in the condiment aisle. The 24 ounce plastic bottles typically retail for $3.49 – $3.99.

In addition to individual bottles, some Kroger locations also offer multi-packs with 2 or 3 bottles. This lets you stock up on ketchup at a discount. Just take care not to let an open bottle linger too long in the fridge after opening.

The Skinny on the Sugar and Carbs

One of the most common questions about ketchup is “does it have a lot of added sugar?” People are often surprised at how sugary mass-market ketchups can be.

Let’s compare the sugar content of Simple Truth Organic Ketchup to its leading competitors:

• Simple Truth Organic Ketchup – 4g sugar per serving
• Heinz Ketchup – 4g sugar per serving
• Hunt’s Ketchup – 4g sugar per serving
• Great Value Ketchup – 4g sugar per serving

As you can see, Simple Truth Organic Ketchup matches its big brand rivals with 4 grams of sugar per tablespoon serving. Since the sugar used is organic cane sugar, this sweetness comes from an unrefined natural source.

The total carbohydrate content is also similar:

• Simple Truth Organic Ketchup – 4g net carbs per serving
• Heinz Ketchup – 4g net carbs per serving
• Hunt’s Ketchup – 5g net carbs per serving
• Great Value Ketchup – 4g net carbs per serving

So in terms of sugar and carbs, Simple Truth Organic keeps pace with the top regular ketchup brands. The advantage is Simple Truth’s sweetener and tomatoes are certified organic.

Non-GMO Means No Genetically Modified Ingredients

Going organic means more than just avoiding pesticides. Simple Truth Organic Ketchup is also verified non-GMO. That means it does not contain any genetically modified organisms.

The tomatoes used are non-GMO, grown from natural heirloom seeds. And none of the other ingredients – including sugar, vinegar, onion and spices – are sourced from GMOs.

So health-conscious shoppers wanting to cut down on GMOs have an organic, non-modified ketchup option. Simple Truth provides this peace of mind at a budget price.

A Close Look at the Short Ingredients List

Flip over a bottle of Simple Truth Organic Ketchup and you’ll notice one thing right away – the brief ingredients list. Organic ketchup often has fewer ingredients because they skip all the preservatives, thickeners and stabilizers found in mainstream brands.

Here are the ingredients that make up Simple Truth Organic Ketchup:

• Organic Tomato Concentrate – Made from steam-cooked organic tomatoes. Provides rich flavor and red coloring.
• Organic Cane Sugar – Adds sweetness. As an unrefined cane sugar, it retains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
• Organic Vinegar – Adds tanginess and helps preserve the ketchup. Made from plant-based acetic acid.
• Onion – Provides subtle onion flavor. Onions also contain antioxidant quercetin.
• Sea Salt – Draws out natural tomato flavors. Sea salt contains trace minerals not found in regular salt.
• Natural Spices – Complex blend of spices like garlic, cloves and allspice. Adds savory depth.

That’s it – just six simple ingredients derived from plants. You can recognize all of them and none sound like a laboratory chemical. This organic ketchup proves you don’t need a long list to make a flavorful condiment.

How Does Simple Truth Compare to Popular Ketchup Brands?

So how does this organic upstart stack up against America’s bestselling ketchups? Here’s a quick rundown of how Simple Truth Organic Ketchup compares:

Heinz Ketchup – very similar in taste, consistency and thickness to Simple Truth Organic. But Heinz contains preservatives, thickeners and artificial colors that Simple Truth leaves out.

Hunt’s Ketchup – also tastes very close to Simple Truth. Hunt’s uses GMO ingredients while Simple Truth sticks to non-GMO sources. Hunt’s also adds preservatives.

Great Value Ketchup – Walmart’s store brand has a thinner, more watery consistency than Simple Truth. The taste is more processed and less fresh than organic ketchup.

Primal Kitchen Organic Ketchup – a comparable organic ketchup but made with 6g of sugar per serving vs 4g in Simple Truth. Primal Kitchen also costs $5 compared to $3.50 for Simple Truth.

Overall, Simple Truth holds its own against the major names while using cleaner ingredients. Taste testers find it just as thick and flavorful as conventional brands. The affordable price is another big advantage over niche organic ketchups.

No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Just Old Fashioned Cane Sugar

High fructose corn syrup is one of the most controversial modern sweeteners. The highly processed syrup has been linked to obesity and diabetes. While ketchup isn’t a health food, some brands add more HFCS than you might expect.

Thankfully, Simple Truth Organic Ketchup contains no high fructose corn syrup. The organic cane sugar provides light sweetness without unnecessary processing. This is in contrast to mainstream brands like Heinz which add HFCS to their conventional ketchups.

So while the sugar content is similar across organic and regular ketchups, the type of sugar makes a difference. Simple Truth skips the questionable HFCS and uses a natural plant-based sweetener.

Gluten-Free for Sensitive Diets

In recent years, more and more people have adopted gluten-free or low gluten diets. This includes those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Ketchup is generally naturally gluten-free, but some brands add thickening agents that can contain gluten.

Luckily, Simple Truth Organic Ketchup is certified gluten-free. That means it contains less than 20 parts per million gluten. So it can fit into a gluten-free diet without worry.

Simple Truth skips questionable thickeners and uses tomato concentrate for viscosity. This makes it suitable for those avoiding gluten. Having an organic AND gluten-free ketchup option is a big win for people with dietary restrictions.

Vegan-Friendly Ingredients

Vegans avoiding animal products will also appreciate Simple Truth Organic Ketchup. A thorough read of the ingredients reveals no animal-derived ingredients.

The vinegar and sugar are plant-based. And the “natural spices” do not include any dairy, eggs or meat. Simple Truth uses vegetable paprika extract instead of carmine red dye made from insects.

So while it’s not labeled as “vegan” since it’s made on shared equipment, this ketchup contains 100% vegan ingredients. This gives plant-based eaters an organic topper for burgers, fries and vegan meatballs alike.

Nutritional Profile – The Tomato Shines Through

One benefit of simplified organic food is an improved nutritional profile. Without heaps of added sugar, oils and preservatives, you can get more nutrition from whole foods.

Here is the nutrition data for a 1 tablespoon serving of Simple Truth Organic Ketchup:

• 20 calories
• 170mg sodium (7% DV)
• 4g total carbs
• 2g sugar (4g added sugar)
• 1g protein
• 10% DV vitamin C
• 4% DV vitamin A
• 2% iron

As you can see, a serving provides a solid shot of vitamins A and C. This comes courtesy of the concentrated organic tomato. There’s also some iron from the tomato and a minimal amount of sodium for a condiment.

So the organic tomatoes manage to sneak some nutrients into this sweet and tangy sauce. Of course, ketchup isn’t meant to be a health drink – but every bit of nutrition in whole foods counts.

Convenient Squeezable Bottle in 24 Ounces

Simple Truth organic ketchup comes packaged in a 24 ounce plastic bottle with a screw-off lid. The plastic bottle is BPA-free and PET1 recyclable.

The squeezable packaging makes it easy to drizzle ketchup onto anything. No need to shake or stir – just squeeze this tomato sauce out of the bottle. The wider mouth of the bottle lets you quickly whip up homemade sauce and marinades.

You can also conveniently squirt it directly onto food on your plate, avoiding double-dipping messes. The 24 ounce size contains about 48 servings and is a good general use size for families. Just keep the lid sealed and refrigerate after opening to maximize freshness.

Costs a Fraction of Premium Organic Brands

As a Kroger private label, Simple Truth manages to keep costs low compared to big name brands. A 24 ounce bottle of Simple Truth Organic Ketchup sells for around $3.49 at Kroger stores.

Here’s how it stacks up against other organic ketchups:

• Simple Truth Organic Ketchup – $3.49 for 24 oz
• 365 Organic Ketchup – $3.49 for 24 oz
• Primal Kitchen Organic Ketchup – $4.99 for 24 oz
• Organicville Organic Ketchup – $6.15 for 20 oz
• Sir Kensington Organic Ketchup – $6.99 for 20 oz

Pricewise, Simple Truth ties budget organic brand 365 but easily beats all the premium organic offerings. You get the same USDA-certified organic tomatoes without the inflated price tag.

For shoppers on a budget, Simple Truth lets you get quality organic ketchup at bargain prices. It’s the more affordable route compared to niche organic brands that can run $6-7 per bottle.

Positive Reviews Praise Great Flavor

Don’t just take our word for it – here’s what actual customers have to say about Simple Truth Organic Ketchup:

“This is by far the best organic ketchup I’ve tried. It’s super thick and tastes like fresh tomatoes picked right off the vine.”

“I was skeptical of an organic ketchup because they often taste watery. But Simple Truth is perfectly thick and delicious. Way better than regular ketchup.”

“We love the short ingredient list and non-GMO tomatoes. This ketchup tastes fresher and less processed compared to other brands.”

“The kids devour this ketchup on everything from fries to mac and cheese. We go through bottles so fast in our house!”

“I appreciate that it’s affordable yet still certified organic. More brands should offer high quality organic foods at this price point.”

Based on buyer reviews, Simple Truth Organic holds up to the taste test. People find it flavorful and creamy like a gourmet organic ketchup but at a fraction of the price.

Packaged in Plastic for Safety and Sustainability

You might notice Simple Truth uses plastic bottles rather than glass. This is a deliberate choice for safety, cost and sustainability reasons.

Glass bottles can break and shards end up in food. Plastic reduces this risk substantially. The plastic also weighs less than glass, reducing fossil fuels spent on transport. Simple Truth bottles use 100% recyclable PET1 plastic derived from sugarcane.

However some brands like Sir Kensington’s tout premium glass bottles. So why does Simple Truth use plastic instead? In large part, it comes down to price and practicality.

Glass costs more and weighs significantly more. That cost gets passed onto consumers. Simple Truth wants to offer affordable organic ketchup for average families, not just elite foodies.

The lightweight plastic also takes less energy to ship from farm to factory. Simple Truth also aims for a balanced approach – organic farming practices matter as much as packaging choices.

So for an organic ketchup sold at mass market prices, recyclable plastic makes the most sense. Still, some shoppers may prefer glass bottles despite the tradeoffs.

Lower in Sodium Compared to Many Brands

Ketchup naturally contains sodium from the tomato concentrate and added salt. But some ketchups kick up the sodium with excessive salt.

Simple Truth Organic Ketchup contains just 170mg sodium per serving. That’s considered low sodium, with 7% of the daily value.

Let’s compare it to some other top ketchups:

• Simple Truth Organic Ketchup – 170mg sodium
• Heinz Ketchup – 200mg sodium
• Hunt’s Ketchup – 260mg sodium
• Great Value Ketchup – 250mg sodium

As you can see, Simple Truth has one of the lowest sodium counts, tied with the original Heinz recipe. So you get all the flavor without going overboard on sodium.

This makes it a better choice for anyone watching their salt intake due to high blood pressure or other health issues. Of course, ketchup shouldn’t be a dietary staple, but lower sodium counts when you can.

Ideal for Homemade Sauces and Dressings

Don’t limit Simple Truth Organic Ketchup to just hot dogs and hamburgers. This tomato condiment can enhance all kinds of recipes. Because it skips stabilizers, the thinner consistency blends up easily in homemade sauces and marinades.

Try adding a dollop to meatloaf mix or use it to dress up a salmon fillet. Brush on chicken before baking for extra juiciness. See how it enhances meatballs, sloppy Joes, or beans.

Simple Truth Ketchup also shines in veggie dishes. Mix it into cooked lentils, drizzle over roasted potatoes or add to bean burgers. Make your own unique sauce by blending ketchup with mayo, onion, herbs and a splash of vinegar.

The tomato flavor of Simple Truth comes through beautifully in homemade salad dressings. Or thin it with water for a quick tomato dipping sauce. Get creative with this quality organic ketchup beyond just hot dogs and fries.

No Artificial Preservatives, Guaranteed

One of the worst offenders in conventional ketchup are artificial preservatives. Brands extend shelf life by adding synthetic ingredients like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

Simple Truth Organic Ketchup skips these chemical-sounding preservatives entirely. The ketchup gets its shelf life naturally from the vinegar. Vinegar slows microbial growth while providing tangy flavor.

By law, organic foods cannot contain artificial preservatives. So you won’t find any added “natural flavors” or suspicious anti-caking compounds. It’s just wholesome ingredients from plant sources.

Taste wise, the lack of preservatives provides a fresher, richer tomato experience. And it avoids controversial preservatives linked to health issues by some scientists. It’s a tradeoff some gladly make for a cleaner yet still tasty ketchup.

Why Choose Organic Over Regular Ketchup?

After looking under the hood, it’s clear Simple Truth Organic offers some real advantages over conventional ketchup brands:

• Organic tomatoes grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
• Non-GMO ingredients not genetically engineered
• No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• Short ingredient list of common foods
• Lower sodium counts
• Rich, fresh tomato taste
• Avoidance of high fructose corn syrup
• Certified gluten-free and vegan-friendly
• Affordable price for premium organic quality

Simple Truth manages to meet the above criteria without sacrificing taste or texture. It performs just as well as conventional ketchup in cooking and tastes thick and robust.

Yet it still comes at an affordable price thanks to Kroger’s economies of scale. So paying a little extra delivers tangible benefits you can taste and see immediately from this certified organic ketchup brand.

Safely Enjoyed by Both Kids and Adults Alike

Ketchup is one of the first condiments most kids learn to love. Choosing an organic brand like Simple Truth allows kids to enjoy this treat while avoiding questionable ingredients.

Since the flavor and consistency mirrors conventional ketchup, most kids happily gobble it up. Yet they take in fewer pesticides, preservatives and GMOs compared to mainstream ketchup.

Parents also appreciate letting their kids indulge in this sweet and salty condiment without as much guilt. Simple Truth provides familiar tomatoey satisfaction for children while using organic ingredients.

Of course, moderation and a balanced diet are still key. But the natural ingredients of Simple Truth offer peace of mind to health-focused families. Both kids and parents can feel good about this affordable organic ketchup option.

A Healthier Ketchup Made for the Way We Eat Today

Once a humble tomato sauce, ketchup has morphed into a chemically engineered Hangover food for some brands. Simple Truth Organic Ketchup seeks to change that narrative through a back-to-basics approach.

By sticking to minimally processed organic ingredients, Simple Truth delivers authentic tomato taste. They skip artificial coloring and sneak in some extra nutrition from whole foods.

Today’s consumers want truth and transparency in their foods. Simple Truth obliges by listing each recognizable ingredient. There are no mysteries when you read the label on this organic ketchup bottle.

Simple Truth also responds to our evolving health awareness in 2021 and beyond. Seeking organic, non-GMO and clean label foods is no longer just for the elite. This ketchup makes ethical food choices accessible at a fair price.

For budget-friendly ketchup with premium organic quality, Simple Truth is a savvy solution. Try a bottle to taste the flavor and feel the difference of this approachable organic brand.