Ketchup chip

Ketchup chips are a regional variety of potato chip whose creation is typically attributed to Hostess Potato Chips. Ketchup chips are strongly associated with Canadian identity, as it is a popular flavour. They have limited production in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The invention of ketchup chips is typically attributed to Hostess Potato Chips,^[1] which began experimenting with producing new potato chip varieties in the early 1970s. Ketchup chips were the only one that proved profitable as other flavours like orange and grape were discontinued.^[2] Herr's Snacks, an American company, definitively sold ketchup chips by the 1980s.^[3] These chips may have been sold even earlier; if so, they would have been invented at same time as Hostess. Herr's sold their chips in the United States, while Hostess only sold theirs in Canada.^[4] The flavour is popular in Canada, where it is considered Canadiana, to a lesser degree than poutine or maple syrup. Millions of bags are produced each year by Frito-Lay, the parent company of Hostess.^[5] They are also sold by smaller companies like Covered Bridge.^[3] Ketchup chips are available in almost every Canadian grocery store.^[6]

According to a writer for The Takeout, ketchup chips do not truly taste like ketchup but instead are composed of flavours reminiscent of it, like cooked tomatoes and sugar.^[7] A writer for Thrillist described them as tasting "like a bottle of ketchup was blown apart" and that this flavour was "dusted upon the chip in equal parts".^[6] The chip variety has also been described as a "sweeter barbecue".^[8] Ketchup chips are not marketed with healthier variants, as diminished salt content and natural flavouring changes the taste of them significantly and therefore limits product innovation.^[9] Ketchup chips are strongly associated with Canadian identity.^[10] They are especially popular in the province of Manitoba.^[9]

Canadian chip flavours such as ketchup are more vinegar-based in comparison to the United States, where more varieties have a creamier flavour. These flavour preferences are likely influenced by differing immigration trends and Canada's connection to the United Kingdom.^[11] For example, Canadians are more likely to pair white vinegar with fries, a combination that is commonplace in Britain but unusual in the United States.^[12]

Historically, Old Dutch sold ketchup chips in both Canada and the United States but discontinued production in the American market after it failed to be profitable.^[13] There is limited production of ketchup chips in the United States, but they are much more commonplace in Canada. Frito-Lay does not sell its ketchup chips in the US, with American potato chips being produced by other companies like Herr's Snacks.^[5] This company later partnered with Heinz to produce the flavour.^[3] In 2023, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that two Americans travelled from Virginia to Niagara Falls, Ontario, in order to purchase forty bags of ketchup chips,^[14] which went viral.^[15]

Walkers, a British food manufacturer, launched ketchup chips in 2001, partnering with Heinz to produce the product.^[16] These chips were discontinued in 2023.^[17] Sausage and ketchup chips were released as a limited edition flavour in 2024.^[18]

• All-dressed, another Canadian potato chip variety
• Canadian cuisine
• Milk bag

• Thiessen, Janis (2017). Snacks: A Canadian Food History. University of Manitoba Press. ISBN 9780887555275.