EXHIBIT 32(a)

           CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RELATING TO A
                PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     I, William R. Johnson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, of
H. J. Heinz Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), hereby certify
that, to my knowledge:

     1. The Company's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 28,
2004 (the "Form 10-Q") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     2. The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

Date: August 24, 2004

                                          /s/  WILLIAM R. JOHNSON
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:   William R. Johnson
                                          Title:  Chairman, President and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer