Is kroger zero sugar Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food like ketchup is Kosher, we look for specific red flags: animal-derived enzymes, wine/vinegar derived from non-Kosher sources, or hidden dairy/meat ingredients. Fortunately, the formula for Kroger Zero Sugar is remarkably clean from a Kosher perspective.

The base ingredients—tomato concentrate, distilled vinegar, and salt—are inherently Kosher. Distilled vinegar is particularly important because the distillation process removes any impurities, making it acceptable regardless of the original source. The sweetness comes from stevia leaf extract, a plant-derived sweetener that is universally accepted in Kosher diets.

Perhaps the most interesting ingredients are the dried apple and dried banana. These are listed as part of the proprietary blend to provide natural sweetness and body. While dried fruit is generally Kosher, it is sometimes treated with synthetic preservatives. However, since this product is marketed as 'No Sugar Added' and relies on natural flavors, these fruit powders are likely in their pure form. There are no flags for dairy, gelatin, or shellac (a common insect-derived glaze found on some candies).

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Kroger Zero Sugar is designed for low-carb and keto lifestyles. The label indicates 0g Added Sugars and 0g Total Carbohydrates per serving. This is achieved by replacing high-fructose corn syrup with stevia extract and fruit concentrates.

Regarding calorie content, the '1 tbsp (169)' notation in the input data appears to be a typo or a misinterpretation of the label data, as 169 calories would be exceptionally high for a single tablespoon of ketchup (standard ketchup is roughly 15-20 calories). A standard serving of zero-sugar ketchup typically contains fewer than 5 calories. The product fits well within strict diet limits, offering the flavor of ketchup without the glycemic spike of sugar.