Simulates Space Conditions to Grow, Farm, and Blend Tomatoes Into Condiment

From the brilliant minds that wrought classic ketchup flavor experiences like "Funky Purple", "Stellar Blue", and Shrek Movie tie-in "Blastin' Green" EZ Squirt, the Heinz company has looked to the stars for the next frontier of cutting-edge space condiment manufacturing.

Working to develop growth procedures for premium-quality ketchup tomatoes in soil conditions much like Mars' rust colored dirt, Heinz has worked with the Aldrin Space Institute to grow a crop suitable for use in their banner product. 

Beginning two years ago, Heinz and its "Tomato Masters", a 14-strong astrobiology team based at Florida Tech, launched what has grown to become one of the biggest Mars-related projects ever conducted. Experts in soil analysis, seed selection, and agricultural techniques were brought together to replicate the "unmistakable taste of HEINZ Tomato Ketchup' even in the harshest of conditions. Sadly for the generation raised on the distinctive red, green, purple, and blue ketchup flavors that once graced the aisles of their childhood grocers, Mars Edition bottles will not be available for purchase, being a small, bespoke batch unsuited to mass production. Heinz insists their "rigorous quality testing" granted the resulting bottles the go-ahead to represent the Heinz standard. 

“We’re so excited that our team of experts has been able to grow tomatoes in conditions found on another planet and share our creation with the world. From analyzing the soil from Martian conditions two years ago to harvesting now, it’s been a journey that’s proved wherever we end up, HEINZ Tomato Ketchup will still be enjoyed for generations to come,” says Cristina Kenz, Chief Growth Officer for Kraft Heinz International Zone.

“Before now, most efforts around discovering ways to grow in Martian-simulated conditions are short-term plant growth studies. What this project has done is look at long-term food harvesting. Achieving a crop that is of a quality to become HEINZ Tomato Ketchup was the dream result and we achieved it. And working with the Tomato Masters at HEINZ has allowed us to see what the possibilities are for long term food production beyond Earth,” says Dr. Andrew Palmer, Aldrin Space Institute.

FMI: www.kraftheinzcompany.com