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UFC
Product type	Banana ketchup
Owner	NutriAsia
Produced by	NutriAsia
Country	Philippines
Introduced	1969; 55 years ago
Markets	Worldwide
Previous owners	Universal Foods Corporation (1969–1996); Southeast Asia Food, Inc. (1996–2001); Heinz-UFC Philippines, Inc. (2001–2006); UFC Philippines, Inc. (2006–2010)
Website	UFC website

UFC is a Philippine food brand owned by NutriAsia. It was first introduced as a banana ketchup brand in 1969.

History

Banana ketchup was deemed a cheaper alternative than tomato ketchup since bananas were abundant in the Philippines.^[1] Philippine food technologist Maria Y. Orosa (1893–1945) is credited with inventing the banana ketchup recipe.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Coincidentally, Magdalo V. Francisco came up with his own method of making ketchup using bananas in 1938. Francisco began commercial production of banana ketchup in 1942 under the brand name Mafran, a portmanteau derived from the first syllables of his first name and surname. He registered Mafran as a trademark with the Bureau of Patents in the Philippines.

Years later, Francisco approached Tirso T. Reyes for funding to expand his business. This led to the establishment of the Universal Food Corporation in 1960, whose first President was Jaime Datu Reyes. ^[1] Francisco soon left the company due to internal conflicts. Francisco established Jufran Food Industries and launched Jufran Banana Catsup. The name Jufran was derived from Francisco's son and namesake, Magdalo "Jun" Francisco Jr.

In 1969, Universal Foods Corporation launched UFC Tamis Anghang Banana Catsup, made from a unique recipe which combines the sweetness preferred by the Filipino palate with a spicy aftertaste, hence, tamis-anghang (Tagalog for sweet-spicy).

In 1974, Universal Foods Corporation was acquired by Bancom Development Corporation.

In 1996, Southeast Asia Food, Inc. (SAFI, now NutriAsia) acquired Universal Foods Corporation. SAFI had also acquired the Mafran and Jufran brands.^[1] SAFI evolved into what is now NutriAsia, Inc.

Products

Ketchup and sauces:

UFC Tamis Anghang Banana Ketchup Regular
UFC Tamis Anghang Banana Ketchup Hot and Spicy
UFC Banana Ketchup Rich Blend
UFC Color Crazee Banana Catsup Blend (discontinued)
UFC Sweet Chili Sauce
UFC Hot Sauce
UFC Spaghetti Sauce
UFC Tomato Sauce
UFC Tomato Sauce Guisado
UFC Tomato Sauce Ready Recipes
- Caldereta
- Afritada
- Mechado
UFC Gravy Sa Sarap Ready-To-Use Gravy
UFC Overload
- Cheezy Overload
- Creamy Overload
- Meaty Overload

Dry mixes:

UFC Ready Recipes
- Curry Mix
- Menudo/Afritada Mix
- Palabok Mix
- Caldereta Mix
- Gata Mix
- Kare-Kare Mix
UFC Sinigang sa Sampalok Mix

Instant soup:

UFC Instant Soup
- Cream of Mushroom
- Crab and Corn Soup
- Chicken and Corn

Seasoning and spices:

UFC Fun Chow
- Seafood Yang Chow
- Meaty Yang Chow
UFC Shake It Up Barbecue Flavoring Powder
UFC Spices
- Chili Powder
- Curry Powder
- Ground Pepper
- Whole Pepper
- Iodized Salt
- Achuete
- Bay Leaves
- Chili Flakes
- Cracked Pepper
- Garlic Powder