The Heinz 32 oz. bottle introduced in 1974 was the first ketchup container with a keg design.
Heinz 44 oz. was also a keg. The keg was rounder, squatter, and shaped more like a barrel than the
classic cylindrical bottle; it also had a ring or "ear" for gripping. After its simultaneous introduction
with the 24 oz. size in January 1979, the 44 oz. was rolled out into the rest of the country by April
1979, taking only four months to reach 70% ACV. In its high BDI northern markets, Heinz
temporarily gained distribution for five sizes (the 44 oz. and the existing line). In these
well-developed Heinz markets, Heinz was able to retain both the 20 oz. and 26 oz. sizes in
distribution for a while. Since it was relatively easy to procure the necessary packaging materials and
to adjust production lines, Hunt's and Del Monte followed with their own 44 oz. sizes about eight
months later. Hunt's and Del Monte captured only about a quarter of the 44 oz. market, however.