Interesting story — and most of it is actually true. The famous “57” on Heinz ketchup bottles was not the number of ketchup varieties or ingredients. It came from a marketing idea created by Henry J. Heinz in 1896.

• Heinz saw an advertisement for “21 styles” of shoes while traveling by train.
• He liked the idea that a specific number was memorable in advertising.
• At the time, the company already sold more than 60 products, so “57” was never an accurate count.
• He reportedly chose 5 because his wife liked it and 7 because he considered it a lucky number.

The slogan “57 Varieties” became one of the most recognizable marketing lines in food history and stayed on bottles even as the company expanded far beyond 57 products.

A fun fact: on the classic glass bottle, the “57” mark was also the recommended spot to tap to help ketchup flow out more easily — not the bottom of the bottle!

Heinz Official Website