Simply Politics and News

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H. J. Heinz Company Reaffirms Non-Partisan Status; Attests Flagship Ketchup is All-American

Pittsburgh, PA, July 14, 2004 - In light of misleading reports, H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) reiterated today that neither Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator John Kerry nor any of the Heinz trusts or endowments, either individually or collectively, holds a significant percentage of H.J. Heinz Company shares. Heinz also attests that Heinz® Tomato Ketchup sold in the United States is all-American - made at U.S. facilities in Fremont, Ohio; Muscatine, Iowa; and Stockton, California. (CLICK HERE to see video on the making of America's Favorite Ketchup™.) There is only one exception: an extremely small number of specialty Ketchup packages are filled at its Heinz Canada factory in Leamington, Ontario, north of Detroit (about 35 miles from the border).

"Heinz Ketchup is a non-partisan condiment that simply stands for great taste. It's enjoyed by Republicans, Democrats and Independents," said Debbie Foster, vice president of corporate communications for H.J. Heinz Company. "Heinz has been the favorite of Americans across the political spectrum for 135 years, and we have no intention of engaging in a political food fight now."

H.J. Heinz Company, in accordance with its corporate governance policies, is a non-partisan organization. Neither Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator John Kerry nor any member of their family is involved in the management or board of the H.J. Heinz Company, the Heinz® Ketchup business or any of the company's other brands or products. Furthermore, there is no connection between any philanthropic programs of H.J. Heinz Company and its Foundation and the Heinz family interests (including the Howard Heinz Endowment, the Vira Heinz Endowment, and the Heinz Family Philanthropies). In 1995 the Heinz Endowments and family trusts sold a large percentage of Heinz shares in a secondary share offering to diversify their holdings. As a result, their current holdings are under 4 percent.

With respect to serving customers worldwide, H.J. Heinz Company maintains a number of overseas facilities that provide products for consumers in those markets. This allows the company to pack the freshest ingredients, tailor its recipes to local tastes and deliver the final products in a timely and efficient manner. Currently, 60% of company sales are outside of the United States.



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As befits a global consumer products company with thousands of employees in the United States and around the world, the Heinz Company is non-partisan and politically independent. The Heinz Company PAC, which is funded by voluntary employee donations, has a policy of maintaining good relations with both major political parties, particularly focusing on those candidates whose district or state contains a Heinz facility. Over the past seven years, the Heinz Company PAC has contributed $96,000 to Republican candidates and $54,000 to Democratic candidates, largely reflecting the party affiliation of the candidates representing the states where we have facilities.

The practice of the Heinz Company PAC in the U.S. Presidential election is to support the nominated candidate from both major parties. Accordingly, the PAC donated $5,000 to the Bush campaign and, because the Kerry campaign does not accept PAC contributions, is donating $5,000 to the Democratic National Committee.

Heinz management and employees represent a variety of political perspectives and have personally donated to different causes and candidates on an individual basis. Simply put, the Heinz Company makes quality nutritious foods and is not politically affiliated.



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H. J. Heinz Company Confirms Its Widely Held Public Ownership And Non-Partisan Status

Pittsburgh, PA, March 22, 2004 - In light of some misleading speculation, the H. J. Heinz Company would like to make clear that neither Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator John Kerry nor any member of their family is involved in the management or board of the H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ). They have no involvement in the Heinz® Ketchup business or any of the company's other brands or products.

The H. J. Heinz Company, in accordance with its corporate governance policies, is a non-partisan organization.

Neither Mrs. Heinz Kerry nor Senator Kerry nor any of the Heinz trusts or endowments - either individually or collectively - holds a significant percentage of shares of the H. J. Heinz Company. In 1995 the Heinz Endowments and family trusts sold a large percentage of Heinz shares in a secondary share offering to diversify their holdings. As a result, their current holdings are under 4 percent.

There is no connection between any philanthropic programs of the H. J. Heinz Company and its Foundation and the Heinz family interests (including the Howard Heinz Endowment, the Vira Heinz Endowment, and the Heinz Family Philanthropies).

Currently, 60% of the sales of the H. J. Heinz Company are outside the United States and to accommodate those customers by providing facilities closer to those markets, the company maintains a number of overseas facilities that provide products for consumers in those markets. This allows Heinz to pack the freshest ingredients, tailor its recipes to local tastes and deliver the final products in a timely and efficient manner. In the United States, Heinz makes its flagship ketchup in factories in Fremont, Ohio; Muscatine, Iowa; and Stockton, California.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

H. J. Heinz Company was founded in 1869 by Henry John Heinz, a native of the Pittsburgh area. For 135 years, the Heinz Company has stood for pure foods and great taste. It remains headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Today, its Chairman, President and CEO is William R. Johnson.


The last Heinz family member to be involved in management with the company was H. J. "Jack" Heinz II, who served as the company's chairman until his death in 1987. Since that time, no Heinz family member has been employed by the company and none has served on its board of directors.


The late Senator H. John Heinz III (Pennsylvania - Republican) did work briefly in the 1960s in the company's marketing department before embarking upon his career in politics. He was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in 1991.


It has long been the Heinz Company's policy to refrain from commenting on presidential campaigns. The company does not communicate consumer comments to any candidates.


H. J. Heinz Company has not produced any buttons, pins, banners or other items carrying political statements. The Company does not endorse or support utilizing its packaging or trademarks in this manner. Such use of Heinz's highly valued trademarks is not authorized. The Company, as always, will defend its valuable trademarks.
http://www.heinz.com/jsp/nonpartisan.jsp