Berger Promoted to Executive Vice President at Heinz.

PITTSBURGH -- Jeffrey P. Berger, 55, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of the H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ). In this position, Mr. Berger will be responsible for the company's global foodservice business.

Commenting on the promotion, William R. Johnson, Heinz's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "Jeff Berger is one of the foodservice industry's leading executives. He and his team have dramatically grown our U.S. sales in the away-from-home eating category. Today, Heinz, with $1.5 billion in U.S. foodservice sales alone, is one of the top suppliers to this segment of the U.S. food industry. Jeff's expertise will be extremely valuable in expanding our foodservice business outside of North America."

As executive vice president, Mr. Berger will retain his responsibilities as president and CEO of Heinz North America Foodservice. He will be based at the Heinz 57 Center offices in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Heinz North America Foodservice business unit includes not only Heinz-branded products, but also Portion Pac Inc., Escalon Premier Brands, Chef Francisco, Quality Chef, Alden Merrell, Appetizers And, Inc., Todds, Dianne's, Delimex and Truesoups.

A native Pittsburgher, Mr. Berger began his Heinz career in 1974 as a buyer in the purchasing department. In 1983, he was named general manager - marketing in the foodservice business. Six years later, he was promoted to vice president and in 1994 became president of the foodservice business.

Mr. Berger earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education and administration, respectively, from California University of Pennsylvania, in California, Pa. He has also attended Duquesne University Business School and the Harvard Executive Management Program.

He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and serves as a director of Parkhurst Dining Services.

Active in community affairs, he serves as a board member for the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania and the Education Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. Additionally, he is a member of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association.

Mr. Berger and his wife, Beverly, reside in Nevillewood, near Pittsburgh. They are the parents of two grown children.

ABOUT HEINZ: H.J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day(TM)," is one of the world's leading marketers and producers of branded foods in ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, seafood, snacks, and infant foods. Heinz satisfies hungry consumers in every outlet, from supermarkets, to restaurants to convenience stores and kiosks. 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 or close to $3 billion), Ore-Ida(R) french fries, Boston Market(R) and SmartOnes(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(TM). Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com/news.

ABOUT HEINZ FOODSERVICE: Heinz Foodservice is the leading manufacturer of condiments for the foodservice industry. In addition to America's Favorite Ketchup(TM), the Heinz Foodservice product line includes a wide array of condiments, sauces, canned soups, tomato products, frozen desserts and appetizers, vinegar and pickles. Heinz Foodservice also is the manufacturer of Truesoups(R), Todds(R), Chef Francisco(R) Soups and Quality Chef(R) Soups and entrees, as well as Domani Italian Foods(R). Heinz Foodservice is the sales and marketing agent for Equal(R) Sweetener.