In Defence Of Tomato Paste

Don EBUBEOGU 

A few days ago, social media exploded with the news of the arrest of a lady by the Police after she wrote a review about a Tomato Paste Brand that contains sugar.

This article is not about the merits and demerits of the escalation of the review. My interest is to fill the knowledge gap about the presence of sugar in most Tomato Paste.

Typically, in some commercially produced tomato pastes, a small amount of sugar may be added to balance the natural acidity of tomatoes and enhance the flavour and taste.

Tomatoes are acidic, and the addition of sugar counteracts that. Therefore, the purpose of adding a pinch of sugar to processed tomato paste is to balance its acidity.

There is no standard cap on the percentage of sugar to be added. It is the producer’s responsibility to indicate the percentage of added sugar.

Consumers need to read the ingredient list on the product label to determine if any sugar has been added and if they are comfortable with the calorie level of the food they wish to purchase.

It is the right of the consumer to review the product they use without fear or favour. Such reviews should not be subjective with the intention to demarket and scare away existing and potential consumers of the brand.

Consumer reviews strengthen companies to improve their products and services. That is one of the primary reasons most companies have Consumer Care or Research & Development Department.

Recently, Tiger Foods Limited introduced Tiger Tomato Stew Mix, which contains dehydrated tomatoes, onion, pepper and natural spices. There is no need to add sugar because we have already countered the acidity by adding aromatic spices like Nutmeg, Thyme, Clove and Ginger.

It has been established many times that products made in Nigeria stand tall above the imported ones because of the stringent regulation and control by NAFDAC and the Standard Organization of Nigeria. Consumers should, therefore, have faith in and trust the process that produces most of the goods made in Nigeria.

If you still doubt the Tomato Brand to use, go for the Tiger Tomato Stew Mix. It has no SUGAR and contains natural spices.

#donebubeogu