French’s Catsup: The All-American Challenger to Heinz

Yes, French’s makes catsup — and it has been shaking up the condiment aisle since 2017. Best known for its iconic yellow mustard, French’s launched its ketchup line as a direct competitor to Heinz, and the rivalry has a backstory worth knowing. French’s catsup is made with real sugar, uses only American-grown tomatoes, and has already won over an entire country. Here is what you need to know about this increasingly popular catsup brand.

Why French’s Entered the Catsup Market

French’s decision to launch a catsup was not random. It was a calculated move rooted in national pride — specifically, Canadian national pride. In 2016, Heinz closed its manufacturing plant in Leamington, Ontario, eliminating hundreds of jobs and devastating the local community. Canadians were furious. When French’s announced that its ketchup would be made exclusively with tomatoes grown in North America, Canadian shoppers embraced the brand overnight.

Grocery stores across Canada could not keep French’s catsup on the shelves. Social media campaigns urged Canadians to ditch Heinz and buy French’s instead. The brand rode this wave of consumer loyalty straight into the American market in 2017, positioning itself as the patriotic alternative — a catsup made from tomatoes grown by American and Canadian farmers.

French’s Catsup Ingredients

The French’s catsup ingredients list is clean and straightforward:

• Tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes
• Distilled vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Less than 2% of: onion powder, spice, natural flavor

The key selling point: no high fructose corn syrup. French’s uses real sugar in every bottle, which puts it in the same category as Hunt’s and Simply Heinz — but French’s adds the additional guarantee that all tomatoes are grown in the United States and Canada. For shoppers who care about both ingredient transparency and supporting domestic agriculture, this is a meaningful differentiator.

What Does French’s Catsup Taste Like?

French’s catsup has a flavor profile that sits somewhere between Heinz and Hunt’s but with its own character. The taste is slightly sweeter than Heinz with a cleaner tomato note and less vinegar sharpness. The texture is noticeably thinner than Heinz — it pours more freely and does not have that signature Heinz cling.

Whether this is a pro or a con depends on what you want from your catsup. Some people prefer the pourable consistency because it spreads more easily on sandwiches and hot dogs. Others miss the thick, slow-pour texture that Heinz is famous for. In side-by-side tastings, French’s reads as lighter and fresher, while Heinz delivers a deeper, more concentrated tomato flavor.

French’s vs Heinz: The Catsup Rivalry

The real rivalry goes beyond taste. When Heinz pulled out of Leamington, Ontario, French’s parent company (McCormick at the time) stepped in to fill the void. Canadian consumers made French’s their top-selling ketchup brand seemingly overnight, proving that brand loyalty can shift when consumers feel strongly about corporate decisions. In the United States, the competition is less dramatic but still real — French’s has carved out a growing share of the market by appealing to shoppers who want a no-HFCS catsup made with domestic tomatoes.

Where to Buy French’s Catsup

French’s catsup is widely available across the United States and Canada:

• Walmart — In-store and online
• Target — Most locations carry it
• Kroger — Available in the condiment aisle
• Amazon — Easy to order in multi-packs
• Most major grocery chains — Distribution has expanded significantly since the 2017 launch

French’s Catsup Pros and Cons

Pros

• No high fructose corn syrup — real sugar only
• Made exclusively with American and Canadian-grown tomatoes
• Clean, short ingredient list
• Lighter, sweeter flavor that appeals to many palates
• Competitively priced with Heinz

Cons

• Thinner consistency — may not satisfy fans of thick, slow-pour catsup
• Fewer variety options compared to Heinz (no organic or flavored lines)
• Still a relatively new entrant, so long-term recipe consistency is unproven

The Bottom Line on French’s Catsup

French’s catsup is a legitimate competitor that earns its shelf space. The no-HFCS formula, domestic tomato sourcing, and the compelling backstory of the Heinz-French’s rivalry make it more than just another ketchup — it is a brand with a point of view. If you prefer a lighter, sweeter catsup made with real sugar and want to support North American farmers, French’s is well worth trying. Compare it to other options in our complete catsup brands guide.