Yes, I just saw that on the news. Different for sure.

Sue

I detest those things...I can never get those things open - darned arthritis.

I'll have to see if I can get them for my concession stand...That is great packaging..I do keep bottles available for those that want to "doctor" their food at the window..but a lot of them take the packets back with their food to the bleachers, seats or cars.

Very clever.

That's the only way ketchup and other condiments has ever come here in Australia, ever since I can remember (40+ years).

Those will be great! I like that the new package holds three times as much as the current packets, too!

Don't you have Heinz there? I was under the impression from the article that this was a new endeavor on the part of Heinz. They could have gotten it wrong though.

So you know not the joys of having to beg for extra tiny packets of teaspoon sized portions. Of struggling to tear those slippery greasy packets open ever so gently as to not have the contents burst flying out on your shirt. Having to squeegie out the ketchup with two fingers to get every last drop. Getting ketchup all over your fingers. Collecting all the empty packets off the table for disposal. Finding one stuck to the sole of your shoe when you get in the car. Yes, this is how us Americans have had to live.

http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_09_06_a_ketchup.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Ketchup Article

Although it's a welcome change, the "tray" concept is nothing new. Ask for some sauce to go with chicken nuggets and you get a tray. Dunk or pour. Easy pull tab on the top. I usually ask for BBQ sauce for fries anyway.

I wonder how many lawsuits will be filed over this. Large companies are rarely shy about patenting something as mundane  at least to consumers  as packaging in order to gain a competitive edge and of course sue for any perceived infringement as illustrated when Folgers sued Maxwell House over the plastic coffee can! I imagine they'll claim some sort of a patent.

A friend of mine owned a pizza joint many years back and had a heated discussion with the Heinz people about the ridiculous size of the packets and he told her there's only one size of packet made so they couldn't put more in there. She pulled out a mayo packet and tossed it to him and said "Buy your packets from these guys. Their's will hold a decent amount!" LOL The rep didn't have a comeback.

The tray concept may not be new but the dip or squeeze option is.

I like it. I have always had trouble opening the packets. Trays are so much easier and less messy.

I like the idea. I'm just wondering what the cost will be. I'm sure it'll be a lot more expensive but it might be a wash. When the businesses have to give out a fistful of packets when one tray would do, and this should eliminate a lot of loss from damaged packets (including leaking) it could be offset.

I guess the squeeze option is something different. And the benefit is that the package should be cheaper being flimsier!

Oh and to be more accurate, actually Kraft (Maxwell House owner) and P&G (Folgers owner) each filed lawsuits against the other for patent infringements over the coffee cans. Some companies have too much in their legal budgets!

WOW I really like tht I haven't been in a fast food place in a long time I'll have to check it out thanks for the info

Looks like someone had a great idea. Can't wait to get one at McDonalds to try them out.

Thank you Monica and Colleen. I thought I was losing it when I saw it and said, that's not new.

Good idea though. At least it won't squirt all over the place like the current packets.

We do have Heinz, dilly dally, can't remember them not having Heinz. We also have had a kind of squeezable packet for several years. It hinges in the middle if you squeeze it and so all the ketchup comes out.

........the ridiculous size of the packets and he told her there's only one size of packet made so they couldn't put more in there. She pulled out a mayo packet and tossed it to him and said "Buy your packets from these guys. Their's will hold a decent amount!"

I've always complained about the teeny size of those things and ketchup lovers need about 20 for the typical order of burger and fries. Mayo, relish, hot sauce and other things come in bigger packets. Salad dressing packets are a good size. Why not use that as the standard ketchup size? What was wrong with Heinz? The little trays have been around for a while too. Did Heinz just discover them now in 2010?

I wanna see cylindrical cups so you can lower the whole fry and coat all four sides at once. Mmmmm. :)

That new tray sounds a lot easier. The packets are too messy for me.

Hubby tells me the new ketchup will not contain corn syrup, which is another plus.

Need to check it out.

Around here, they throw about 10 of the packets in your to-go bag if you ask for ketchup. That's more than enough, IMO. Now we'll probably get one little container. DH won't be satisfied with that, I'm sure.

The eat-in parts of the fast-food joints here usually have a set up of little cups and ketchup that pumps up out of a big container, you can fill up as many little cups as you want.

I've never liked the ketchup in the packets, it seems super-sweet to me, so the no-corn-syrup recipe sounds good. I just eat the fries plain, usually, unless I'm at home, then I pull the bottle of ketchup out of the fridge.

Posted by petaloid: "That new tray sounds a lot easier. The packets are too messy for me. Hubby tells me the new ketchup will not contain corn syrup, which is another plus."

You mean the new tray packaging is only for their soon to be launched 'Simply Heinz' ketchup and not for their flagship product? That is disappointing if it is true. I have the feeling that the fast food retailers will not want to shock their traditional customer with not only a change in packaging but also a new recipe, and hence won't order them predicting consumer backlash.

I was under the impression that the Heinz ketchup in Canada is made with sugar and in America they have 'Organic Heinz' made with sugar instead of HFCS for those who prefer real sugar. Their 'Simply Heinz' made with real sugar is actually just their original pre-1970 recipe. When they switched to HFCS back then, they did so without fanfair.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/heinz-serves-new-ketchup-with-relish-but-will-it-be-the-company/19346589/

Here is a link that might be useful: Simply Heinz

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Here is a link that might be useful: Let's Get to Know Eachother