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ketchup
Condiments & Sauces
Is ketchup high in sulfites?
Is ketchup high or low in sulfites? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why sulfites food checker matters
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
- Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
- Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)
Sensitivities
What ketchup contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where ketchup fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about ketchup
Ketchup is the textbook stacked trigger: no single ingredient in it is extreme, but it borders on a problem across an unusual number of them at once. It is made from concentrated tomatoes (nightshade plus histamine), cooked and aged (histamine and glutamate build up), sweetened with high-fructose syrup (excess fructose and FODMAPs) and often preserved with sulfites. Individually each is a moderate load; together, in the amount people actually use, they can push a sensitive person over the edge when a plain tomato would not. If you react to ketchup but tolerate fresh tomato, the processing is usually why.
Watch for
- Concentrated tomato makes it a nightshade and moderately high in histamine, two triggers in one spoonful
- Cooking and ageing raise free glutamate (a savoury, MSG-like load) and histamine beyond that of a fresh tomato
- Sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, so it carries excess fructose and a moderate FODMAP load
- Often preserved with sulfites, a further additive trigger, and it is pro-inflammatory overall thanks to the sugar and processing
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Sulfites Guide
Everything you need to know about sulfites sensitivity and smart food choices.
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Sulfites sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in sulfites and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Sulfites, consider these strategies:
- 1Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- 2Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- 3Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
- 4Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
- 5Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is ketchup high in Sulfites?
Sulfites: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat ketchup if I'm sensitive to Sulfites?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Reflux Diet, and Specific Carbohydrate next for a fuller picture.