Heinz - Consumer FAQs


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Consumer FAQs

Contacting Heinz
Heinz Products
Gluten-Free Products
Product Packaging
Coupons
Heinz Kosher Questions
Recipes
Heinz Employment
Heinz Merchandise
Miscellaneous Questions about H.J. Heinz Company

Contacting Heinz

How Do I send a comment or inquiry about a Heinz Product online?
At Heinz, we look forward to hearing what's on our customers' minds. If you would like to send a question or a comment via email, Click Here Now. We also welcome you to call our toll-free number at 800.255.5750 or send a letter to Heinz Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 57, Pittsburgh, PA 15230.

Canadian consumers are welcome to call 800.268.6641.

Heinz Products

What is Heinz Hot & Spicy Ketchup Kick'rs?
Heinz Hot & Spicy Ketchup Kick'rs has the same great taste of Heinz Ketchup-but with a "kick" of Hot & Spicy flavor. It's the answer for adults craving bolder flavors in a rich ketchup base.

Where can I find out what ingredients are in my favorite Heinz products?
A full list of ingredients is included in the ingredient statement on the product label. "Natural flavoring" refers to herbs and spices that are derived solely from plant sources.

Does Heinz ketchup contain animal products?
Heinz Ketchup has never contained any animal products.

In addition, the FDA has set a standard of identity for ketchup that does not permit the use of any animal products. Any deviation from this standard of identity would mean that the product could no longer be called ketchup nor sold legally under the name ketchup.

Should ketchup be refrigerated?
Because it is a very acidic product, ketchup does not spoil easily. Once opened, in order to maintain the product's quality more effectively, we do suggest that ketchup (and any other processed food) be refrigerated after opening because refrigeration retards spoilage.

Does Heinz offer an organic variety of its famous thick and rich ketchup?
Yes. We have offered an organic ketchup in several European countries for a few years now. In 2002, we introduced an organic variety in both the U.S. and Canada. And while the ingredients are certified organic, rest assured you'll enjoy the same thick and rich Heinz Ketchup taste the world has come to know and love.

What is lycopene and what Heinz products contain lycopene?
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that occurs naturally in tomatoes and processed tomato products. Recent studies suggest lycopene may help prevent certain types of cancer. And lycopene is more available in processed tomato products than in fresh tomatoes. All Heinz products that contain processed tomatoes also contain lycopene, including Heinz Ketchups, Classico Sauces, Heinz 57 Sauce and Jack Daniel's® Barbecue Sauces.

Is there any hidden MSG in Heinz Products?
Any of our products that contain Monosodium Glutamate, or MSG, would clearly state this ingredient on the label. There is no hidden MSG in Heinz products.

How is One Carb Ketchup different from traditional Heinz Ketchup?
Heinz One Carb Ketchup delivers the great ketchup taste consumers have come to expect from Heinz, only with 75 percent less carbs, 75 percent less sugar and only about one-third the calories of traditional Heinz Ketchup. The product is now available in many supermarkets across the country.

Is it true Ore-Ida has developed a microwaveable French fry that actually gets crispy? Is it available now?
It's true -- Ore-Ida has cracked the crispiness code and is currently producing Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Easy Fries that give you the crispy taste you've been longing for in a microwaveable product. 4 Minutes! - that's all it takes to satisfy your crispy cravings. Ore-Ida Easy Fries are now available in supermarket freezer sections across the U.S.

Does Heinz still make EZ Squirt Colored Ketchup?
No. While very popular with consumers for a few years, Heinz is not currently producing colored ketchup products.

Gluten-Free Products

Where can I find gluten-free products?
Heinz Ketchup and Heinz Organic Ketchup do not contain any gluten (the distilled vinegar used is from corn sources). Also, Wine Vinegar, Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are gluten-free. Heinz Hot & Spicy Ketchup Kick'rs is gluten-free as well.

As for our other Heinz products, we are not able to guarantee that all ingredients would be gluten-free, since the source of an ingredient may change from time to time. We understand how difficult it can be finding foods that meet the requirements of a restricted diet, and we continue to look for ways to meet the dietary needs of our consumers.

Product Packaging

Why did you turn your Ketchup bottle upside down?
The upside-down Heinz Top-Down bottle design ensures that your ketchup is always ready when you are, and the stay-clean cap with control valve gives you total control over where your ketchup goes. This product is available in two sizes: 20-ounce and 32-ounce.

Why are there funny labels on some of the ketchup bottles?
Consumers have been having a lot of fun with our "Talking Labels." They are designed to bring a touch of humor to the condiment aisle. In 2003, eight witty consumers were able to join in the fun when we place their talking labels on Heinz Ketchup bottles across the country. And now, celebrities are getting in the act. Actors William Shatner and Lindsay Lohan and sports icons Terry Bradshaw and Mia Hamm are now having their say on labels of Heinz Ketchup. And given the positive response we've received from consumers, you can expect to see more ketchuppy quips in the future.

Why is there a pickle on the ketchup label?
The small green pickle shown on many Heinz labels is a former logo that we continue to use, in addition to our corporate symbol - the Heinz Keystone. After all, Heinz is not only the producer of the "world's largest selling ketchup", we're also famous for our pickle products. At the 1893 Chicago Exposition, Henry John Heinz (the founder of our company) offered a free souvenir to attract visitors to the Heinz booth. The souvenir was a pickle watch charm made of plaster of paris that was painted green, with a metal loop at the top. Our ketchup became popular around 1914, and replaced pickles as our top product. For reasons of nostalgia, the pickle emblem was retained.

How can I read your manufacturing codes?
If the product does not have a 'use by date,' to determine its age, look for the production code on the closure. Because we recently revamped our coding system, you will see one of two different coding styles. Samples of each, and how to interpret them, appear below:

Product coded FR2E06 (new form) is read as follows:

FR-specific to the production location.
2-represents the year of production.
E-represents the month produced A=January etc.
06-represents the day of the month.

Product coded VF0401 (old form) is read as follows:

VF-specific to the production location. 040-represents the day (40th) of production (Feb 9).
1-represents the year of production (2001).

The shelf life of a product depends on a number of factors, such as storage time, temperature, age and container. However, in general, if stored properly, the following shelf life expectancies would apply for product that is unopened:

12 Months: Ketchup (including Heinz Ketchup Kick'rs and EZ Squirt), Tartar Sauce, Horseradish Sauce.

18 Months: Gravy, Pickles, cocktail Sauce, Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Jack Daniel's Grilling Sauce.

24 Months: Mustard, Chili Sauce, Relish, Malt Vinegar.

30 Months: 57 Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Beans, Tarragon Vinegar.

42 Months: Distilled White Vinegar, Salad Vinegar.

Additional questions? Call us at 1-800-255-5750.

Coupons

Is there a way to get Heinz coupons online? If not, do you send out coupons for Heinz products?
Currently we don't have an option to allow you to print coupons from our Web site. We'll certainly consider this in the future. In the meantime, we hope that you'll watch for product coupons and Heinz promotion offers in magazines and the Sunday supplement section of your newspaper.

Heinz Kosher Questions

How do I know if Heinz products are Kosher?
Products produced by Heinz USA carry the encircled U. This is the Kosher designation provided by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregation for their supervision of our products. Additionally, when necessary, we can provide a list of our products that are designated as Kosher.

Recipes

Do you have recipes available for your products?
As a matter of fact, we have recipes right online. Simply Click Here and you'll find lots of great recipes and meal ideas that you can make with some of your favorite Heinz products.

Heinz Employment

How can I apply for employment with Heinz?
The jobs we are recruiting for are listed on the Careers page of our Web site. If one of our recruiters matches a candidate's qualifications with an open position, the candidate will be contacted by the recruiter.

Heinz Merchandise

Where can I get Heinz Merchandise?
You can purchase Heinz merchandise online at HeinzStuff.com. Additionally Target Stores will be carrying selected items.

Miscellaneous Questions about H.J. Heinz Company

What is the significance of "57"?
The Heinz 57 Varieties slogan is synonymous with the name "Heinz." Our corporate history tells us that in 1896, Henry John Heinz noticed an advertisement for "21 styles of shoes." He decided that his own products were not styles, but varieties. Although there were many more than 57 foods in production at the time, because the numbers "5" and "7" held a special significance for him and his wife, he adopted the slogan "57 Varieties." Thus, a new advertising campaign was launched for Heinz 57 Varieties — and the rest is history!

What is the difference between the "Best When Used By" date and the expiration date on a Heinz product?
The "Best When Used By" date on our products is designed as a guide for retail stores and consumers to assist with proper stock rotation. While we recommend consuming the product prior to this date, it does not mean the product is inedible after the date. As long as the safety seal on the product is intact, the contents will be commercially sterile and safe to use.

Where can I find financial information about the Heinz corporation?
Click Here to find company information.

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