Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated paste made from cooked tomatoes. The process involves cooking fresh tomatoes for several hours to reduce moisture, straining out the seeds and skins, and then cooking the resulting pulp further to achieve a dense consistency.

Manufacturers add tomato paste to foods primarily for its rich flavor, deep red color, and thickening properties. It is a staple ingredient in many prepared foods, including pasta sauces, pizza sauces, soups, stews, and condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce.

Tomato paste is a common food ingredient and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It is known for being a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant. No specific health concerns are associated with its consumption at typical intake levels. As a whole food ingredient, it is not subject to the same additive evaluations by bodies like JECFA or EFSA.