UFC (food brand)

UFC (an acronym for Universal Foods Corporation) 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. Philippine food technologist Maria Y. Orosa (1893–1945) is credited with inventing the banana ketchup recipe.

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. 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. SAFI evolved into what is now NutriAsia, Inc.

Products
Ketchup and sauces:
 * UFC Tamis Anghang Banana Ketchup Regular
 * UFC Tamis Angas Fiercely Spicy Banana Ketchup (formerly Tamis Anghang Banana Ketchup Hot and Spicy)
 * UFC Banana Ketchup Rich Blend
 * UFC Color Crazee Banana Ketchup 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
 * UFC Oppa Mixes All-Purpose Korean-Style Meat Sauce
 * Soy Garlic
 * Sweet and Spicy

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
 * UFC Oppa Mixes

Broth cubes:
 * UFC Chicken Broth Cubes (discontinued)
 * UFC Beef Broth Cubes (discontinued)

Cooking oil:
 * UFC Super Fiesta 100% Pure Coconut Oil
 * UFC Hapi Fiesta Cooking Oil

Canned vegetables:
 * UFC Fresh Selections
 * Green Peas
 * Whole Mushroom
 * Pieces & Stem Mushroom
 * Whole Kernel Corn
 * Sliced Young Corn

Shrimp paste:
 * UFC Ginisang Bagoong
 * Regular
 * Spicy

Dressing:
 * UFC All-Purpose Dressing

Cheese:
 * UFC Quesorap Processed Filled Cheese Spread