We're getting a new ketchup packet.

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Heinz 'Dip and Squeeze' Container Aims to Conquer a Major Frustration of Chowing Down in Transit

Some people rip off the corner of the packet with their teeth. Others, while driving, squirt the ketchup directly into their mouth, then add fries. Some forgo fries at the drive-through all together to keep from creating a mess in the car.

After observing these and other "compensating behaviors," H. J. Heinz Co. says it spent three years developing a better ketchup packet.

Heinz says the new "Dip and Squeeze" packets will begin replacing the traditional rectangular ketchup packets later this year at Wendy's Co. restaurants. Smaller chains including Chick-fil-A Inc., Smashburger Master LLC, and International Dairy Queen Inc. started carrying the packets earlier this year.

McDonald's Corp. and Burger King Holdings Inc. are testing the packets but declined to comment on the results.

[edited for compliance]

Heinz for decades has searched for better single-serve packets. The company has tried making them bigger, easier to open, or attachable to a cup of French fries. None of the changes could be made cheaply or solve customers' main complaints—the single-serve packets are messy, hard to open and don't provide enough ketchup—say executives. For about the past decade, Heinz sold two single-serve containers: the classic squeeze packet and a dipping cup.

Full story HERE

Machaela said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

PurpleJedi said:

Machaela said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

And all over the world there are Hungry and sick children ... with no shoes or homes to speak of

And THIS is so important ... <--- NOT directed AT YOU

sick edit

[Edited 9/20/11 10:13am]

PurpleJedi said:

Machaela said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

three years is a bit much.

PurpleJedi said:

Machaela said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

yes, or this:

"McDonald's Corp. and Burger King Holdings Inc. are testing the packets but declined to comment on the results."

"Better not go on record with an opinion!!!" say the lawyers

Machaela said:

PurpleJedi said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

And all over the world there are Hungry and sick children ... with no shoes or homes to speak of

And THIS is so important ... <--- NOT directed AT YOU

Ketchup is the lifeforce of our new society. The sauce that stirs our melting pot. It brings us together as a people. Without ketchup, our national identity would evaporate. It would be like France without Merlot. Or Russia without missiles.

That is why this thread is so important, and personally I am flabbergasted as to the blatant oversight by our Mods, who have not yet stickified it.

morningsong said:

PurpleJedi said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

three years is a bit much.

Three years of development in Japan would've resulted in a micro-chip enhanced container that would sense what your food required and automatically dispensed it.

Three years of development in China would've resulted in each container being accompanied by a Tibetan child laborer who would spread the ketchup for you and wiped your mouth clean afterwards.

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

What gets me is THREE YEARS of development (and probably millions of $$) and they come up with a bottle-shaped "McDonald's dipping sauce" container.

yes, or this:

"McDonald's Corp. and Burger King Holdings Inc. are testing the packets but declined to comment on the results."

"Better not go on record with an opinion!!!" say the lawyers

Again, due to the sensitive nature of this product and its ultimate impact on our national identity, I can see how McD's and BK are employing their armies of attorneys to deal with this shocking development.

PurpleJedi said:

Machaela said:

And all over the world there are Hungry and sick children ... with no shoes or homes to speak of

And THIS is so important ... <--- NOT directed AT YOU

Ketchup is the lifeforce of our new society. The sauce that stirs our melting pot. It brings us together as a people. Without ketchup, our national identity would evaporate. It would be like France without Merlot. Or Russia without missiles.

That is why this thread is so important, and personally I am flabbergasted as to the blatant oversight by our Mods, who have not yet stickified it.

They've had these packets at Culvers for months. Kind of convenient. Necessary....not so much.

I can see where it will help the toothless folk who eat at the walmart McD's...

Someone in the design depatment at Heinz is laughing hard right now.

"I got paid for 3 years bitchez!"

Some people rip off the corner of the packet with their teeth. Others, while driving, squirt the ketchup directly into their mouth, then add fries. Some forgo fries at the drive-through all together to keep from creating a mess in the car. ...

Really???

slimhustle said:

Some people rip off the corner of the packet with their teeth. Others, while driving, squirt the ketchup directly into their mouth, then add fries. Some forgo fries at the drive-through all together to keep from creating a mess in the car. ...

Really???

yeah it sounds incredibly disgusting, but then, I don't eat ketchup

related question: is Catsup different from Ketchup?

NDRU said:

related question: is Catsup different from Ketchup?

One's made from tomatoes, one from tomatos.

I would just be happy if they would make a plain mustard packet. I like to eat my fries with it.

mzsadii said:

I would just be happy if they would make a plain mustard packet. I like to eat my fries with it.

They have those at the 7-Eleven's here.

We eat mustard with our pretzels.