Ketchup Shortage Hitting Restaurants Across US

One of the most popular condiments in the U.S. is in short supply thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ketchup sales reportedly were up 300% since the start of the pandemic, causing shortages, particularly of single-serving packets used by fast food chains, the Wall Street Journal reported. Demand for larger bottles of ketchup was up a more modest 15%.  As Americans turned to take-out food over the past year, the demand for ketchup has overwhelmed supply, the newspaper reports.  One company, Kraft Heinz, supplies 70% of the retail ketchup in the U.S, according to the Journal, adding that the company began ramping up production and slimming its product line early in the pandemic.