Are you a Dipper or a Squeezer?

[Imzadi]

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/business&id=7258856

New ketchup packet allows for dunking or squeezing

Associated Press, NEW YORK --


For decades there was only one way to use the humble ketchup packet, and it was messy. Now, fast-food lovers have a choice: the traditional squeeze play - or the option to dunk.

You want fries with that, in the minivan? No problem.

The new ketchup pack, unveiled Thursday by H.J. Heinz Co., is shaped like a shallow cup. The top can be peeled back for dipping, or the end can be torn off for squeezing. It holds three times as much ketchup as a traditional packet.

Customers at a McDonald's in Covington, Ky., said they would welcome a redesign.

"You use up a lot of ketchup now with the packets, I always get extra ones," said Skyler McDermott, 29. "Maybe now you won't have to use your teeth to open them."

Heinz struggled for years to develop a container that lets diners dip or squeeze, and to produce it at a cost acceptable to its restaurant customers.

"The packet has long been the bane of our consumers," said Dave Ciesinski, vice president of Heinz Ketchup. "The biggest complaint is there is no way to dip and eat it on-the-go."

Designers found that what worked at a table didn't work where many people use ketchup packets: in the car. So two years ago, Heinz bought a used minivan for the design team members so they could give their ideas a real road test.

The team studied what each passenger needed. The driver wanted something that could sit on the armrest. Passengers wanted the choice of squeezing or dunking. Moms everywhere wanted a packet that held enough ketchup for the meal and didn't squirt onto clothes so easily.

Heinz is rolling out the new packs this fall at select fast-food restaurants nationwide. It will continue to sell the traditional packets.

Whether restaurants buy the new packets will depend on cost, experts say.

"One of the top uses of ketchup in this country is on french fries," said Harry Balzer, vice president of the research firm NPD Group. "One of the patterns of behavior in this difficult climate that continues to do OK is ordering and eating in your car."

The company said it is still working out prices with its customers. But the new packet should cost only a little more, even though it holds much more ketchup.

Heinz is by far the biggest ketchup maker. About half of its ketchup is sold in stores and the other half is sold to the food service industry through its exclusive contracts with chains like Burger King and Wendy's.

McDonald's, the nation's largest burger chain, does only limited business with Heinz.

Heinz sells more than 11 billion ketchup packets every year. But neither the ketchup maker nor the major chains would say who plans to carry the new design.

Morningstar restaurant analyst R.J. Hottovy said if restaurants do adopt the design, the transition will likely be gradual.

"It has to be proven that this is something that saves money on the behalf of restaurants or cuts down on waste," he said. "It looks interesting, but ultimately you have to provide something of value to the restaurants."

Customers may force the issue.

Rants about the messy packs have helped spawn hundreds of anti-ketchup-packet groups on Facebook.

Matt Kurtz, a 22-year-old student in New York, has drawn 269 members to the group he started after he ripped open a packet too quickly and spilled it on his jeans while on a road trip two years ago.

"That's when I said 'There has to be a better way."'

These issues come as no surprise to Heinz's Ciesinski. "We created the packet in 1968," he said. "Consumer complaints started around 1969."

---
AP Business Writer Dan Sewell in Cincinnati contributed to this report.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

[KristaTX]

Oooh I like that. The article mentions it's usefulness in cars. I rarely eat in the car, but on the rare occasion that I do, I hate having to find something to squirt the ketchup onto so I can dip my tator tots or fries into it. That design will solve that problem . I guess it's not exactly totally new, though. Jelly, honey, and other things have come in little bowl-like containers forever. Perhaps even other ketchup brands have them. But Heinz is the best ketchup .

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I read about the new packet design yesterday. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever considered using a ketchup packet for dipping. I don't know that I am completely on-board with the larger size. It's the size of three traditional packets, so I'll use one packet instead of 3, that's a plus as far as less waste and easier on the fingertip. I think the overall concept is innovative for dippers and squeezers alike. What will all of the other ketchep packet manufacturers do to keep up? Will the all convert or keep the status quo.

 

[OK!]

I REALLY like the idea of this, especially due to the decreased amount of waste. I'm a huge ketchup user, so for a normal order of fries, I might use something like 4-5 normal packets of ketchup. This would help cut way back on that.

I almost never eat in the car, but it is nice to know that a dipping option will be available in the future.

 

[AKL_Megs]

OMG, I LOVE that!

Hopefully we all can try those out someplace soon!

 

[travelbug]

Wow, that's a great idea!

 

[Angelhalo]

I REALLY like the idea of this, especially due to the decreased amount of waste. I'm a huge ketchup user, so for a normal order of fries, I might use something like 4-5 normal packets of ketchup. This would help cut way back on that.

I almost never eat in the car, but it is nice to know that a dipping option will be available in the future.

I like it for the same reason although when not doing low carb, I usually use more like 15 packets of ketchup for a side of fries. On the low carb though its a no no as its full of sugar.

 

[MizTink]

we are a fast food nation............

 

[acejka]

I am a line draw-er on fries, so I guess that counts as a squeezer. I'm happy to hear it is larger, I use a TON of ketchup.

 

[dislaney]

Looks like a great idea and I'm a dipper for the record.

 

[Silent1CB]

A little side note from when I worked at McD's decades ago. The ketchup in the burger is Hunts. The ketchup they hand out for fries is Heinz.

From the article, it says they only do a limited business with McD. So maybe its still the same today.

I like the little paper cups that you pump the ketchup into & dip your fries. Personally, I prefer to dip my fries into sweet & sour sauce.

 

[Starbrite]

Not only am I a dipper.....I'm a Double-Dipper

I think its a great idea. Why did it take so long to come up with this?

 

[C.Ann]

Love the idea of a dipper, but unfortunately I can't stand Heinz ketchup.. Has an overpowering "vinegar" taste to it..

 

[chisnpeke]

My mom always said they needed something like this for ketchup. She should have invented it! I am a dunker.

 

[pilotwife_02]

What a great idea!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Dipper! Love Heinz. When I first saw this on tv, I thought they were changing the taste.

 

[MIGrandma]

After watching "Dr. Oz" the other day, I am neither a dipper nor a squeezer.

There are two teaspoons of sugar in just 2 tablespoons of ketchup!