Although the ingredient proportions differ slightly and the spice blends aren't identical, McDonald's fancy ketchup, Heinz standard, and Hunt's ketchup are pretty much the same. So what makes the McDonald's ketchup fancier than the others?
Turns out, it's nothing special on the ingredient list. According to Heinz, "fancy" is simply a USDA designation that producers are allowed to use for marketing if their product meets the standards of US Grade A/US Fancy tomato ketchup, which possesses a better color, consistency and flavor, and has fewer specks and particles and less separation of the liquid/solid contents than US Grade B/US Extra Standard Ketchup and US Grade C/US Standard Ketchup.
What goes into ketchup grading? Testers look for a lack of tomato skin and seeds in the product, a smooth, uniform texture and a total acidity over one percent, among other things.
