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Heinz Pledges to Provide Free Micronutrient Assistance to 10 Million Children by 2010

Heinz Pledges to Provide Free Micronutrient Assistance to 10 Million Children by 2010

Published 01-10-08

Submitted by H. J. Heinz Company

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 has established a Global Health and Wellness task force, which is directing new product development towards foods that deliver additional health benefits for all ages.

  • Heinz has donated more than $17 million since 2005 to support community programs with a focus on promoting the health, nutrition and the well-being of children and families.

  • Heinz is promoting sustainability initiatives through innovative packaging. For example, the iconic glass Heinz ketchup bottles are now manufactured using 100% post-consumer reground and recycled glass; and Heinz soups in the U.K. are now packaged in lighter cans that result in numerous savings such as reduced consumption of steel and tinplate by 1,400 tons annually and decreased food miles through improved fuel efficiency.

  • 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.

  • H. J. Heinz Company logo

    H. J. Heinz Company

    H. J. Heinz Company

    ABOUT HEINZ: H. J. Heinz Company, offering “Good Food Every Day”TM is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of nutritious foods in ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant foods. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition to people eating at home, at restaurants, at the office and “on-the-go.” Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, Boston Market® meals, T.G.I. Friday’s® snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz has number-one or number-two brands on five continents, showcased by Heinz® ketchup, The World’s Favorite Ketchup®. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

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