Tomato Concentrate Made From Vine Ripened Tomatoes

Tomato concentrate is made from tomatoes that have been ripened on the vine. The tomatoes are washed, sorted, and then processed to remove skins and seeds. The remaining pulp is heated to evaporate water, resulting in a thick paste.

Tomato concentrate is used to add a concentrated tomato flavor and color to foods. It also acts as a thickener, improving the texture of sauces, soups, and processed tomato products. It is commonly found in ketchup, pasta sauces, pizza sauces, and other savory dishes.

Tomato concentrate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It is a source of lycopene, an antioxidant. Lycopene has been studied for its potential health benefits, though research is ongoing. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated tomato products, but specific evaluations of tomato concentrate's health effects at typical intake levels are not widely published.