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.
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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"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."
I didn't know that it was a real product ,
I just thought you were joking . I wonder if it's made by HJ Heinz ? Wouldn't that be amusing ! [8D]
Why would it be amusing? Senator John Heinz, who was the heir to the HJ Heinz empire before his untimely death in 1991, was a Republican.
It would be perfect revenge against his money grubbing widow...the new Democratic Mrs. John Kerry!
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"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."
[]I think the Heinze people had better sit down and look at a map!!!
Leamington , Ontario is actually South East of Detroit!! Come to think of it, you have to travel North from Windsor, Ont., to enter the USA at Detroit!!
Just though i would throw that in for interests sake!!
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If you can't bite - don't growl, If you can't hunt - don't howl.
I didn't know that it was a real product ,
I just thought you were joking . I wonder if it's made by HJ Heinz ? Wouldn't that be amusing ! [8D]
Why would it be amusing? Senator John Heinz, who was the heir to the HJ Heinz empire before his untimely death in 1991, was a Republican.
It would be perfect revenge against his money grubbing widow...the new Democratic Mrs. John Kerry!
It would be amusing because the company that Teresa gets her checks as a result of being a Heinz from would be making a product that indirectly pokes fun at her husband , a candidat for President . I made no reference to the late Senator .
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Kevin Haendiges
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http://hunting-indiana.com
I didn't know that it was a real product ,
I just thought you were joking . I wonder if it's made by HJ Heinz ? Wouldn't that be amusing ! [8D]
Why would it be amusing? Senator John Heinz, who was the heir to the HJ Heinz empire before his untimely death in 1991, was a Republican.
It would be perfect revenge against his money grubbing widow...the new Democratic Mrs. John Kerry!
It would be amusing because the company that Teresa gets her checks as a result of being a Heinz from would be making a product that indirectly pokes fun at her husband , a candidat for President . I made no reference to the late Senator .
I was merely pointing out that it would be logical to assume that the company may lean toward the Republicans based on the fact that Senator Heinz was a Repub. Also, the company has donated more funds to the Republicans than the Democrats.
As I previously said, it would be perfect revenge against Heinz's money grubbing widow that his family's company would be producing the W ketchup.
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"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."
"W" Ketchup.... Now this is cool!
or partpartison? dont want to be bi partison or french[&:]
]I think the Heinze people had better sit down and look at a map!!!
