By Reuters, 07/31/01

PITTSBURGH -- No. 1 ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co. Tuesday unveiled the latest gimmick designed to keep kids amused at the dinner table -- purple ketchup.

Heinz EZ Squirt Funky Purple will begin appearing on grocery shelves in early September, the company said Tuesday. It follows Heinz's launch of a Blastin' Green version of the popular condiment nearly a year ago. More than 10 million bottles of the green ketchup were sold in the first seven months, Heinz said.

"The tremendous success of Heinz EZ Squirt Blastin' Green showed us that kids love decorating their food with colors that are bright, wild, even a little...funky," said Casey Keller, head of Heinz's condiments business, in a statement.

Children are the largest users of ketchup, consuming about 5 billion ounces a year, or more than half that used in the United States, Pittsburgh-based Heinz said.