The real reason behind ‘57 varieties’ Heinz label revealed (2024)

A hidden meaning in the label of one well-known ketchup brand has surprised social media, with many offering their idea behind the number.

Heinz sauce bottles contain a “57 varieties” label on the bottle, with many speculating what it could mean.

Some guessed it was because the company was founded in a year ending with 57, others speculated it was how many tomatoes were in each bottle and others joked it had to do with the rising cost of living.

One person guessed that the placement had to do with it being the best place to squeeze the sauce out of the bottle.

But, now, the meaning behind it has been revealed, with a spokesman for the company revealing just why the number was chosen.

“The ‘57 varieties’ label on the neck of Heinz Tomato Ketchup was surprisingly selected at random by founder Henry Heinz,” Andrea Payne, head of marketing and taste elevation for Heinz ANZ, told news.com.au.

“Although the number itself technically has no real purpose, and even back then there were more than 57 varieties, the number has stuck around for over 100 years of Heinz branding, making it synonymous with the Heinz brand.

“Brands evolve so much over time – it’s nice to see small nods to the original packaging and story.”

The need for a number logo came after Heinz spotted a shoe company advertising 21 styles of shoes.

On the Heinz UK website it states that five was Heinz’s lucky number and seven was his wife’s lucky number.

He also believed that seven was a significant number for people of all ages.

At this point in time, the company already had more that 60 products to its range.

The idea about the placement of the number being crucial to accessing the product wasn’t too far off the truth either.

A spokesperson from the company responsible for everything from sauce, to soup and baked beans toldTODAY food: “The sweet spot to tap on the Heinz bottle is the 57 on the neck.”

“All you need to do is apply a firm tap where the bottle narrows, and the ketchup will come out easier.”

The real reason behind ‘57 varieties’ Heinz label revealed (2024)

FAQs

The real reason behind ‘57 varieties’ Heinz label revealed? ›

Heinz's lucky number. According to the company's website, in 1896, the founder was inspired by an advertisem*nt he saw for “21 styles of shoes.” He considered 57 to be magical and lucky, so he came up with the slogan “57 Varieties” despite the fact the company offered more than 60 products at the time.

Why does Heinz say 57 varieties? ›

Ashleigh Gibson, Heinz's brand director, said in an email that the company's founder felt there was something “mystical, magical, and memorable” about the number 57, which was a combination of five, his lucky number, and seven, his wife's lucky number.

What is the 57 varieties label Heinz? ›

Heinz 57 is a synecdoche of the historical advertising slogan "57 Varieties" by the H. J. Heinz Company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It was developed from the marketing campaign that told consumers about the numerous products available from the Heinz company.

What did HJ Heinz develop his company slogan 57 varieties based upon? ›

Since 1896, the company used its "57 Varieties" slogan; it was inspired by a sign advertising 21 styles of shoes, and Henry Heinz chose the number 57 even though the company manufactured more than 60 products at the time, because "5" was his lucky number and "7" was his wife's.

What are the 57 ingredients in Heinz ketchup? ›

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, MALT VINEGAR (CONTAINS BARLEY), SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, RAISIN JUICE CONCENTRATE, MUSTARD FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, TURMERIC, SPICES, APPLE PUREE, SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVES), CARAMEL ...

Where does the term Heinz 57 dog come from? ›

Heinz 57, Heinz, or Heinz Hound is often used for dogs of uncertain ancestry, in a playful reference to the "57 Varieties" slogan of the H. J. Heinz Company. In some countries, such as Australia, bitsa (or bitzer) is sometimes used, meaning "bits o' this, bits o' that".

How did Hj Heinz change the world? ›

With a unique flair for marketing and a high standard of production, H. J. Heinz changed Americans' attitudes towards processed food products. From exclusively selling horseradish in 1869 to offering over 60 varieties of products, Heinz built an empire and became a household name.

What is Heinz mission statement? ›

With dedication and passion, we provide consumers and their families with products they know, love and trust. Quite simply, we help feed the world – and we do it deliciously.

What is Heinz strategy? ›

The Kraft Heinz ESG strategy prioritizes the issues that matter most to the Company business and stakeholders, focusing on areas that have the greatest impact. It includes three key pillars: Healthy Living & Community Support, Environmental Stewardship, and Responsible Sourcing.

Does Heinz 57 need refrigerated? ›

"Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable," the brand said. This explains why the product is not found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. However, the brand maintained that consumers should "refrigerate after opening to maintain product quality."

Why does McDonald's not use Heinz ketchup? ›

However, in 2013 Heinz was acquired by a new company with a new CEO, Bernado Hees. Hees was the former CEO of Burger King, McDonald's fast food rival. Because of Hees' history with Burger King, McDonald's decided to end its 40-year partnership with Heinz and produce its own ketchup instead.

What is Heinz 57 sauce good on? ›

Heinz-57 recipes (33)
  • Heinz 57 potato. Heinz 57 sauce•potato•sour cream•whipped butter•salt•ground black pepper, fresh. ...
  • Benny's Corned Beef Sandwich Batch 3. ...
  • Steaksauce Onions. ...
  • Spicy Apple BBQ Sauce. ...
  • Smoked Sausage and Egg Sandwich. ...
  • Brunch with twice cooked Crispy Pork. ...
  • Meatlovers Biscuits. ...
  • Bratwurst and Burgers.

How many varieties does Heinz make? ›

Although Heinz was manufacturing more than 60 products at the time, Henry thought 57 was a lucky number. So, he began using the slogan "57 Varieties" in all his advertising. Today the company has more than 5,700 products around the globe, but still uses the magic number of "57."

What is a Heinz 57 mix? ›

Breed history

There is the 'Heinz 57' dog with no known pedigree that is a genetic mishmash of unknown breeds. These dogs can look like anything. Recently, some curious owners have been using genetic screening tests to check their pet's ancestry; mainly to satisfy their own curiosity.

What do the numbers on ketchup mean? ›

In 2015, Heinz revealed in the post that “the numbers on the sachets relates to the filling line which the sachet was filled on.

What is Heinz's slogan? ›

Heinz Company, Inc., became famous for its slogan “57 Varieties.” Heinz became interested in selling foods when he was a child; by the age of 16, he had several employees working to cultivate the hotbeds he had built and to deliver his produce to Pittsburgh grocers.

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