Michael Bertasso Retires from Heinz To Lead a Church Mission in Brazil

    Business Editors

    PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2005--The H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) today announced the retirement of Michael J. Bertasso (55), effective June 1, 2005. Currently located in Singapore, Mr. Bertasso is Senior Vice President and President - Heinz Asia Pacific. Mr. Bertasso has been with the company for 17 years and serves on Heinz's Management Committee.
    In July, Mr. Bertasso will begin serving as a Mission President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brazil where he and his wife, Kathy, will relocate.
    "We will miss Mike's energy and leadership. He has played an instrumental role in key company transactions and had headed a number of our fastest-growing affiliates," noted William R. Johnson, Heinz Chairman, President and CEO.
    A successor has not been named for Mr. Bertasso's position.

    ABOUT HEINZ: H.J. Heinz Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of branded foods in ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, seafood, snacks, and infant foods. Heinz is a global family of leading brands, including Heinz(R) Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing nearly one-third of total sales), Ore-Ida(R) french fries, Boston Market(R) and Smart Ones(R) meals, and Plasmon(R) baby food. Heinz's 50 companies have number-one or number-two brands in 200 countries, showcased by Heinz(R) Ketchup, the world's favorite ketchup. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com/news.

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CONTACT: H.J. Heinz Company Media: Ted Smyth, 412-456-5780 Debbie Foster, 412-456-5778 OR Investors: Jack Runkel, 412-456-6034

KEYWORD: UTAH PENNSYLVANIA SINGAPORE BRAZIL INTERNATIONAL LATIN AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SUPERMARKETS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: H.J. Heinz Company

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