SanFranGate

Heinz adds purple ketchup to traditional red, runaway hit green

Tuesday, July 31, 2001

(07-31) 11:16 PDT PITTSBURGH (AP) --

Heinz is adding "Funky Purple" to its crayon box of condiment colors.

Hoping to build on last year's success with a "Blastin' Green" ketchup, the company said Tuesday the purple ketchup will be on store shelves in September

In seven months, H.J. Heinz Co. sold more than 10 million bottles of green ketchup, pushing up total sales by 5.4 percent and helping the company boost its share of the U.S. ketchup market to 59 percent from 55 percent, spokesman Michael Mullen said.

Heinz promises that the ketchup keeps the company's signature taste and recipe, with a little Blue No. 1 and Red No. 3 thrown in to shade the condiment. The company still makes its traditional red.

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2001