Why Is Banana Ketchup Banned in the US? Explaining the New FDA Rules on Filipino Imports

Banana ketchup — a popular Filipino condiment — is banned in the U.S.

In October of this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert for several food additives deemed unsafe. Imported products suspected of containing these harmful ingredients be stopped at U.S. borders, effectively preventing their entry into the country.

But the alert landed headlines in American and Filipino media outlets as Banana ketchup, the well-loved Filipino condiment used in dishes like Filipino Spaghetti and Tortang Talong, was facing barred entry into the United States. 

Why is banana ketchup banned?

Popular brands of banana ketchup like JUFRAN and UFC contain chemicals like potassium iodate, a chemical flagged by the FDA alert. 

But the effect did not just affect banana ketchup: other Filipino condiments, like lechon sauce and bagoong, were flagged too for containing the chemical BHA.

Today, the status of these condiments in American supermarkets remains in limbo.

A Community in Disarray

The Filipino community’s response to the new alert was swift. Many scrambled to purchase the final existing stock of banana ketchup remaining in the country. In the Bay Area, for instance, banana ketchup flew off the shelves of Asian groceries, prompting some to impose purchase limits on the limited stock available. At Pacific Supermarket in South San Francisco, customers were restricted to buying four bottles per person.

Early reporting indicated that some grocery owners raised the price of small bottles of banana ketchup to $20, and large bottles to $29, up from the previous prices of $1.49 to $2.79.

On TikTok, Filipino users were quick to express their grievances: “I don’t know whose idea it was to ban [these products],” said creator Dino Roman. “But whoever you are, just know that the entire Filipino community — read my lips — we don’t like you.”

“How are you gonna tell us that it’s bad for us when we’ve been eating this our entire lives? Make that make sense,” he continued.

@dinocornel I’m not Dormammu but I’m willing to bargain #theultimatenerd #gamingsetup #gamingroom #gamer ♬ original sound - Dino Roman

Some claimed that the ban was hypocritical, given the chemicals present in food domestically produced: “I just really find it funny that they’re banning Banana Ketchup,” said user @ivsamss. “Yet my child eats Red Dye 40 on the daily from her snacks.”

But others, like user Supermarket Mama, were more welcoming to the alert. “I’m actually glad for it,” she said. Supermarket Mama explained how two chemicals found in Banana Ketchup imports  — BHA and potassium iodate — pose real health risks. BHA is anticipated to be a human carcinogen, while potassium iodate increases risks for thyroid cancer at high quantities.

What’s next for the Filipino condiment?

Unsurprisingly, the new alert is forcing Filipino Americans who frequently use Banana Ketchup to adapt. One potential solution, many find, is in making their own.

For Vinny Dayao, head chef and co-owner of Filipino catering company Uncle Tito, a house-made banana ketchup is starting to replace the imported ones he usually uses for his recipes. In an interview with ABC7 News, he said “The good thing about making your own banana ketchup, you can control what’s in it and the sauce is brighter. It’s fresh.”

As for imported brands, such as UFC and JUFRAN, they still have a future in the United States. Manila Bulletin reports that Nutri-Asia, the producer of these brands, is adjusting their product formulations to meet the new FDA requirements. 

These adaptations have left few options for those looking for banana ketchup today. Where can you find banana ketchup now?

Banana Ketchup in Walmart, Target, and Online

Keep in mind that the new alert mainly affects imports, not domestic products.

There are many American brands that produce banana ketchup which need to comply with FDA requirements. One of such brands is Fila Manila.

So, if you’re trying to find banana ketchup in the United States, you can find these classic flavors in Manila’s Banana Ketchup — available online, and in large American retailers like Target and Walmart. 

Not only is this version of banana ketchup fully compliant with FDA requirements, it’s colored with natural ingredients — specifically, carrot and blackcurrant — to give the condiment a natural, fresh red hue. That means there are no additives like Red Dye 40.

Fila Manila's banana ketchup is also gluten-free, dairy-free, free of added sugar or MSG, and contains no artificial flavors, perfect for any and all dietary requirements.

Learn more about the product here.