Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Hi Miss_Swiss_77, thank you for attaching the report. Alternariol, or AOH, is a naturally occurring substance commonly found in fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes. As with all foods grown outdoors, the level of AOH in our tomatoes depends on a number of external factors, including moisture, sunlight, temperature, soil type and rainfall. The manufacturer has thoroughly analyzed several batches of the tomato paste used in our Heinz tomato ketchup and the AOH levels found in each batch were in line with EU guidelines. The only exception was the batch tested by Ökotest.

Heinz is investigating this anomaly with our expert team of scientists and suspect that the field where this particular crop was harvested (in California) was affected by extreme weather conditions, resulting in the higher AOH levels. The producer has also increased its monitoring measures and taken additional measures to support quality control. This step is not currently required by the EU, but he wants to understand how this phenomenon comes about. Best regards, your M-Infoline team