USDA Finally Swaps 'Catsup' for 'Ketchup' in Canned Tomato Rules
Published Date: 9/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA is updating the rules for grading canned tomato products to make them clearer and easier to understand. They’re simplifying the grading terms, updating color descriptions, and switching from "catsup" to the more popular "ketchup." These changes help tomato producers and buyers know exactly what quality to expect, with no big costs or delays involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grade Standards Simplified for Producers
The USDA revises seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products by updating color descriptions, replacing the two-term grading system (dual-nomenclature) with a single term, and making editorial changes. The rule also changes the spelling 'catsup' to the more commonly used term 'ketchup.' The agency says these changes help producers and involve no big costs or delays.
Buyers Get Clearer Quality Labels
Buyers of canned tomato products will see clearer grade information because the USDA updated color sections and replaced the dual-term grading system with a single term, and changed 'catsup' to 'ketchup.' The agency says these changes help buyers know what quality to expect and will not cause big costs or delays.
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