France limits ketchup to fight obesity, preserve culture

Ketchup's high sugar content makes it a source of unwanted extra calories, nutritionists warn. (iStock)French primary schools are being forced to cut back on ketchup in order to combat obesity among students, the Telegraph is reporting.

The American invention - which combines tomatoes, sugar, salt, vinegar and spices - is a staple of many households in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. Yet its high sugar content - four grams of sugar per tablespoon - makes its nutritional value highly suspect, and nutritionists have encouraged consumers to eat fresh tomatoes or hot sauce instead.
 
France's anti-ketchup stance is also meant to retain French culture, the Telegraph suggests.

"Children have a tendency to use them to mask the taste of whatever they are eating," said Christophe Hebert, head of the National Association of Directors of Collective Restaurants.

"We have to ensure that children become familiar with French recipes so that they can hand them down to the following generation," the Telegraph quotes him as saying.

The rationing of ketchup - and other sauces - is part of a larger plan to improve the nutritional value of school meals.

Food service suppliers will also have to:

• Provide four to five dishes at both breakfast and lunch that include garnishes and dairy products.
• Ensure a variety of dishes are served.
• Serve appropriate portion sizes.

We want to know if you would support a ketchup ban where you live. Can you live without your ketchup or favourite condiment?


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)