Ketchup potato chips are a regional variety of potato chip found in Canada. Its invention is typically attributed to Hostess Potato Chips.[1] It is a popular Canadian snack food,[2] and it can be found in most grocery stores.[3]
Hostess Potato Chips began experimenting with the production of 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] Ketchup chips do not truly taste like ketchup but instead are composed of flavours reminiscent of it, like cooked tomatoes and sugar.[4] The chip variety has been described as a "sweeter barbecue".[5]
Although there is limited production of the variety in the United States, ketchup chips are much more commonplace in Canada. Frito Lays does not sell its ketchup chips in the US, with American potato chips being produced by other companies like Herr's Snacks.[6] Walkers, a British food manufacturer, launched ketchup chips in 2001, partnering with Heinz to produce the product.[7]