1.10.2008 - 09:53am ET

(CSRwire) PITTSBURGH, PA - January 10, 2008 - The H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) is working to develop solutions to reduce global malnutrition, a commitment underscored in the Company's 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report issued today. The report lays out the Company's plans to provide free micronutrient assistance to 10 million children at risk of iron-deficiency anemia by 2010 through its Foundation and employees' voluntary contributions.

The Heinz Micronutrient Campaign, launched in 2001, aims to assist the two billion people globally — nearly one-third of the world’s population — who suffer from malnourishment. The Campaign distributes millions of single-serve packets containing microencapsulated nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be mixed into food staples such as rice, maize, pulses or pureed fruits and vegetables. To date, the H. J. Heinz Company Foundation and Heinz have spent approximately $3 million on Micronutrient Campaign grants and projects, and have renewed their commitment with an additional pledge of $5 million over the next five years. At the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative Heinz announced the expansion of the Micronutrient Campaign to India, where the Company hopes to eventually benefit more than six million children.

"Compliance with traditional methods of delivering micronutrient supplementation, such as liquid drops, is low because they taste unpleasant and stain teeth," said William R. Johnson, Chairman, President and CEO. "The Heinz Micronutrient Campaign addresses these problems through its use of a unique microencapsulated nutrient powder that does not affect the taste of food."

In addition to Heinz's work in the area of micronutrition, the CSR report also presents Heinz's considerable accomplishments in ensuring food quality and safety; enhancing health and wellness; and instituting environmental programs to reduce waste, decrease energy and water consumption, and help address the challenges of global climate change:

Heinz is managing waste, water and energy to achieve significant reductions in resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2005, the Company has made substantial progress by saving nearly 3 million cubic meters of water at its global manufacturing operations, reducing its landfill waste by 359,573 tons and decreasing its energy usage by 1,031,304 gigajoules.

Heinz has committed to introduce a comprehensive five-year CSR strategy in 2009, including targets for improving the health and wellness profile of its products, reducing its environmental footprint, and enhancing employment practices to encourage a diverse workforce.

The Heinz 2007 CSR report details the progress of the Company's CSR initiatives since 2005. The report can be viewed online at www.Heinz.com/CSRReport. Heinz welcomes feedback on the report, which may be sent to csr@us.hjheinz.com.

ABOUT HEINZ:

H. J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day" is one of the world's leading marketers and producers of healthy and convenient foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go." Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz(R) ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz's total sales), Ore-Ida(R) potato products, Weight Watchers(R) Smart Ones(R) entrees, Boston Market(R) meals, T.G.I. Friday's(R) snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on five continents, showcased by Heinz(R) ketchup, The World's Favorite Ketchup(R). Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

For more information please contact:

Ted Smyth, Media
412-456-5780

Michael Mullen , Media
412-456-5751

Margaret Nollen, Investors
412-456-1048

For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for H. J. Heinz Company

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