May 25, 1999

HEINZ TO BE HONORED FOR BEING FIRST COMPANY TO DEBUT KOSHER SYMBOL

VISIONARY COMPANY PAVES THE PATH FOR MODERN-DAY KOSHER EXPLOSION

New York, NY: The Orthodox Union (OU), the world's largest and oldest kosher certifying agency, will honor the H. J. Heinz company, the famous ketchup manufacturer, for having the vision and foresight to go kosher nearly eight decades ago, at its Centennial Anniversary National Dinner on Sunday, June 6, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. The OU will present the National Centennial Kashruth Founders Award to Mr. William R. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the H.J. Heinz Company.

"It took extraordinary insight, foresight and vision on the part of both the rabbis and the Heinz leadership to see that one day the kosher symbol would mean so much," said Mr. Johnson. "Our 76-year-old partnership with the OU has turned into a family," he added.

Back in 1923 - when the kosher food market was virtually non-existent in the United States -- Heinz Vegetarian Beans became the first product to display the OU kosher symbol.

Heinz was so committed to the needs of the kosher consumer that the company collaborated with the newly created OU Kashruth Division to design the OU, an insignia that is today the world's most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 220,000 products in 62 countries around the globe.

The OU insignia is prominently displayed on Heinz Ketchup, America's favorite ketchup.   Heinz also owns Star Kist Tuna which is the only kosher pareve tuna, because unlike its competitors, it does not contain dairy ingredients.

"Heinz and the OU have been closely associated in the minds of consumers for over half a century, each representing the highest standards of quality and reliability," said Mandell I. Ganchrow, M.D., President of the OU. "Today's ever-growing kosher market - with over $30 billion in estimated annual food sales -- is largely indebted to pioneering companies such as Heinz," he added.

The OU will also honor the B. Manischewitz Company, the world's largest producer of matzo, at the dinner. 

A leading global food producer, the Heinz Company boasts sales of more than $10 billion. Heinz's 50 affiliates operate in more than 200 countries, offering more than 5,000 varieties. Among the company's famous brands are Heinz, Star-Kist, Ore-Ida, 9-Lives, Weight Watchers, Farley's, The Budget Gourmet, Bagel Bites, Ken-L Ration, Kibbles 'n Bits and Nature's Recipe.

In the forefront of the ever-growing kosher food industry, the OU certifies 2,127 corporations with 3,999 plants. For more than 75 years, the OU has served as the uncontested symbol of excellence in kosher supervision, making kosher food from sushi to salsa available to consumers all over the world. Over 80 percent of the  kosher certified products in the United States carry the   on their labels.

Some of the famous companies that carry the OU     include Coca-Cola, General Mills, Heinz, Kraft Foods, Nabisco Biscuit Co., Pillsbury, Procter & Gamble, and Veryfine Products.

Celebrating 100 years of service to the Jewish community of America and countries around the world, the OU is a foremost leader in youth work, advocacy for the disabled, synagogue services, adult education  and political action.

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HOW KOSHER WAS BROUGHT
INTO THE MAINSTREAM
backgrounder

• In 1996, three million kosher meals were served on domestic flights.

• Every year, kosher food products rack up sales of more than $33 billion -- yes, billion.

How did kosher get to be what New York's Rolling Stone magazine referred to as "one of the decade's hot food trends?" Some attribute it to the ever-growing popularity of niche marketing. Others say its because an increasing number of consumers associate kosher with "purity and cleanliness."

Regardless of the reason, one thing remains certain: kosher could not have been brought into the American mainstream without the combined foresight, vision and efforts of the Orthodox Union (OU) and the H.J. Heinz Company.

Back in 1923, when the OU expanded to become the only nonprofit kosher certifying agency, Heinz was the first major corporation to seek out kosher certification. It was only natural that the best ketchup and pickle manufacturer would join with the nation's best kosher certifying agency.

Heinz helped design and debut the OU, the OU's kosher seal of approval, on its now famous Vegetarian Beans.

Way before the kosher symbol became a marketing phenomenon, Heinz exhibited a remarkable commitment to the kosher consumer.

Legend has it that Heinz would send a sleek limousine in the wee hours of the morning to pick up the local Pittsburgh mashgiach (kosher supervisor) so he could oversee the early morning run. In fact, the mashgiach became such an integral part of the Heinz operation, he eventually came to have his own corner office.  "Considering the time, this was remarkable," said Daniel Butler, the grandson of Frank Butler, Heinz's first mashigach.

Today, there are nearly 500 OU kosher supervisors stationed all over the world, supervising the more than 2,127 OU companies throughout the globe. These companies which include many of the world's leading food manufacturers, cater to their consumers who rely on the OU for the highest standards of supervision.

Indeed, the structure of supervision established by Heinz and the OU nearly eight decades ago set a remarkable precedent: today companies throughout the world model their kosher supervision programs on the system first introduced in 1923.

"Heinz helped put kosher on the map," said Butler. "Heinz has taken the OU and incorporated it as their emblem of excellence in quality. Essentially, they have taken our Jewish tradition and made it their tradition," he added.

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