McDonald’s Ketchup (Ingredients, Who Makes It + Other FAQs)

If you’ve had McDonald’s ketchup then you know that it tastes different from the products you normally get in stores, such as Heinz or French’s ketchup.

Therefore, you may wonder what’s in McDonald’s ketchup and who makes it? If so, keep reading to learn more about what I found out on this topic!

McDonald’s Ketchup FAQ’s In 2022

McDonald’s ketchup is a condiment that the company makes itself in the United States, except for in the Pittsburgh and Minneapolis markets that use Heinz as of 2022. McDonald’s ketchup is dairy-free and features concentrate from red ripe tomatoes and also includes distilled vinegar. Additionally, 1 packet contains 10 calories and 90 mg of sodium.

If you’d like to learn more about what ingredients are in McDonald’s ketchup, who makes the McDonald’s ketchup and more, keep reading to learn more facts and tips!

What Ingredients are in McDonald’s Ketchup?

McDonald’s ketchup contains the following ingredients:

  • Distilled vinegar
  • Red ripe tomato concentrate
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Natural flavors
  • Corn syrup
  • Water
  • Salt

What Kind of Ketchup Does McDonald’s Use?

McDonald’s uses what they call Fancy Ketchup, and there is a difference between fancy and regular by legal USDA standards.

The biggest difference between regular and Fancy Ketchup is that it’s Grade A, meaning it needs to be 33% or higher in total solids, have good color, flavor, finish, and good consistency.

As well, Fancy Ketchup should also have hardly any defects, and Grade A ketchup is supposed to be thicker since it contains more solids.

In contrast, regular ketchup is more likely to contain additives and preservatives, with it being more liquidy and known as either Grade B or Grade C ketchup.

Who Makes McDonald’s Ketchup?

McDonald’s makes their brand of ketchup and does not rely on outside sources to supply its ketchup packets in most areas of the United States. However, thePittsburgh and Minneapolis markets use Heinz Ketchup packets.

Does McDonald’s Use Heinz Ketchup?

Currently, McDonald’s only uses Heinz Ketchup in the Minneapolis and Pittsburgh markets within the United States.

However, McDonald’s recently ended their relationship with H.J. Heinz Company due to Heinz promoting Bernardo Hees to the top position in the company, who is the former CEO of Burger King and will be supplying products to said company.

Therefore, McDonald’s is choosing to find another supplier for the markets where it formally used Heinz products (which mostly was outside of the U.S).

Can You Buy McDonald’s Ketchup?

Unfortunately, you cannot buy McDonald’s ketchup in stores since it’s made by McDonald’s and explicitly for McDonald’s restaurants.

However, you can always ask for more ketchup packets when you’re at McDonald’s and you may get a handful to take home with you for later use.

Additionally, while you can’t purchase the exact brand of ketchup from McDonald’s in stores, you can find a number of Fancy Ketchup brands in grocery and retail stores.

What’s the Nutritional Value of a McDonald’s Ketchup Packet?

What’s the Nutritional Value of a McDonald’s Ketchup Packet?

McDonald’s ketchup packets contain the following ingredients:

  • 10 calories
  • 2 grams of sugar
  • 2 grams of carbohydrates
  • 90 mg of sodium.

Is McDonald’s Ketchup Gluten-Free?

McDonald’s ketchup is gluten-free, meaning that customers who have a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease can use the ketchup for their gluten free items, such as McDonald’s fries.

Is McDonald’s Ketchup Dairy-Free?

McDonald’s ketchup is dairy-free and contains no ingredients that have milk, making it the perfect choice for those with lactose intolerance and other sensitivities or allergies to lactose.

Is McDonald’s Ketchup Vegan?

McDonald’s ketchup is considered vegan, as it does not contain any animal products. Furthermore, most ketchup is vegan so it’s one of the most common condiments for consumers to use if they are living a vegan lifestyle.

Does McDonald’s Ketchup Expire?

McDonald’s ketchup expires in the sense that unopened packets will lose flavor over time, especially if you don’t have the packets stored in the refrigerator.

Furthermore, the big box that McDonald’s receives with the ketchup packets does have an expiration date on it.

Therefore, if you have a lot of unopened McDonald’s ketchup packets, it’s best to throw them out after six months due to the flavor deterioration that will occur over time.

On top of that, if you have opened McDonald’s ketchup it should be stored in the refrigerator and thrown away if not used within a few days to a week.

Is Ketchup Free at McDonald’s?

Ketchup is usually free at McDonald’s, although it varies by location, meaning some McDonald’s franchises will charge you for additional ketchup packets, particularly outside of the United States.

Further, while most condiments at Mcdonald’s are free, customers may not be allowed to take more than a few packets of ketchup per order. 

To know more about the sauces at McDonald’s, you can also check our posts on McDonald’s mayonnaise, McDonald’s mustard, and McDonald’s sweet & sour sauce.

Conclusion

McDonald’s ketchup is a Grade A Fancy Ketchup, meaning it must be 33% solid, making it thicker than other ketchup brands. However, McDonald’s uses Heinz Ketchup in Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, as well as other locations outside the United States.

Further, McDonald’s Ketchup is vegan-friendly, gluten-free and dairy-free, which allows most McDonald’s customers to use the ketchup regardless of their allergies or food preferences.

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