424B2

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not offers to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Each of the % Notes due (the “ Notes”) and the % Notes due (the “ Notes,” and together with the Notes, the “Notes”) are an issue of the debt securities described in the accompanying prospectus. Interest on the Notes of each series is payable on and of each year commencing on , 2012. The Notes mature on , , and the Notes mature on , . We may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at the “make whole” redemption price described under the headings “Description of Notes—Optional redemption of the Notes” and “Description of Notes—Optional redemption of the Notes.”

Investing in the Notes involves certain risks. See “Risk factors” on page S-6.

The Notes will be our general unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.

We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made to investors in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme and Euroclear Bank S.A., N.V., on or about , 2012.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement or that the information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of such document. We and the underwriters are offering to sell the Notes only in places where offers and sales are permitted. The terms “Heinz,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to H. J. Heinz Company and its subsidiaries.

This document has two parts. The first part consists of this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and the Notes offered. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Before purchasing any Notes, you should carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

Prospectus supplement summary

This summary highlights information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in the Notes. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference. See “Risk factors.”

The Company

H. J. Heinz Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania on July 27, 1900. In 1905, it succeeded to the business of a partnership operating under the same name which had developed from a food business founded in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania by Henry J. Heinz. Heinz manufactures and markets an extensive line of food products throughout the world. The Company’s principal products include ketchup, condiments and sauces, frozen food, soups, beans and pasta meals, infant nutrition and other food products.

The Company’s products are manufactured and packaged to provide safe, wholesome foods for consumers, as well as foodservice and institutional customers. Many products are prepared from recipes developed in the Company’s research laboratories and experimental kitchens. Ingredients are carefully selected, inspected and passed on to modern factory kitchens where they are processed, after which the intermediate product is filled automatically into containers of glass, metal, plastic, paper or fiberboard, which are then sealed. Products are prepared by sterilization, blending, fermentation, pasteurization, homogenization, chilling, freezing, pickling, drying, freeze drying, baking or extruding, then labeled and cased for market. Quality assurance procedures are designed for each product and process and applied for quality and compliance with applicable laws.

The Company manufactures (and contracts for the manufacture of) its products from a wide variety of raw food materials. Pre-season contracts are made with farmers for certain raw materials such as a portion of the Company’s requirements of tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions and some other fruits and vegetables. Ingredients, such as dairy products, meat, sugar and other sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup, spices, flour and fruits and vegetables are purchased from approved suppliers.

Heinz’s principal executive offices are located at 1 PPG Place, Suite 3100, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 and our telephone number at that address is (412) 456-5700. We maintain a website at www.heinz.com. Information contained in or accessed through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

The offering

Issuer

H. J. Heinz Company

Securities

$ aggregate principal amount of % notes due .

Maturity

, , in the case of the Notes.

Interest rate

% per annum, in the case of the Notes.

Interest payment dates

Interest on the Notes of each series will accrue from , 2012 and will be payable on and of each year, beginning on , 2012.

Record dates

Interest on the Notes of each series will be paid to holders of record at the close of business on each and immediately preceding each interest payment date.

Ranking

The Notes of each series will be our general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

No prior market

The Notes of each series are new securities and there is currently no established trading market for the Notes. Although the underwriters have informed us that they intend to make a market in the Notes, they are not obligated to do so and they may discontinue market making activities at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid market for the Notes will develop or be maintained.

Optional redemption of the Notes

We may redeem the Notes at our option at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

•

100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed; or

•

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day

year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined herein), plus basis points.

We will also pay the accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date. See “Description of Notes—Optional redemption of the Notes.”

Optional redemption of the Notes

We may redeem the Notes at our option on any date that is prior to the date that is three months prior to the maturity date, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

•

100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed; or

•

We will also pay the accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date. We may redeem the Notes on or after the date that is three months prior to the maturity date, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed on the redemption date plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date. See “Description of Notes—Optional redemption of the Notes.”

Offer to repurchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control Triggering Event” (as defined herein), unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes of the applicable series, we may be required to make an offer to each holder of Notes of such series to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s Notes of such series at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. See “Description of Notes—Offer to repurchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event.”

Covenants

The indenture pursuant to which the Notes will be issued contains covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined therein) to secure indebtedness with a security interest on certain property or stock. See “Description of Debt Securities—Restrictions on Secured Debt” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes, including repayment of commercial paper.

Further issuances

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of either series of the Notes, create and issue additional debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) and ranking equally and ratably with either series of the Notes, in all respects, as described under “Description of the Notes—General terms of the Notes.”

Denomination and form

We will issue the Notes of each series in the form of one or more fully registered global notes registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Beneficial interests in the Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Clearstream Banking, société anonyme and Euroclear Bank, S.A./ N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, will hold interests on behalf of their participants through their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in accounts as participants of DTC. Except in the limited circumstances described in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in the Notes will not be entitled to have Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive Notes in definitive form and will not be considered holders of Notes under the indenture. The Notes will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Trustee

Union Bank, N.A. (f/k/a Union Bank of California, N.A.)

Governing law

New York

Investing in the Notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider all the information set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein before deciding to invest in the Notes. In particular, we urge you to consider carefully the risk factors set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Relevant to Forward-Looking Information” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2011 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 25, 2012 incorporated by reference herein.

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the Notes will be approximately $ after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes, including repayment of commercial paper. As of February 23, 2012 our commercial paper bore interest at an average rate of 0.35% and was incurred to finance working capital needs.

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated cash and cash equivalents⁽¹⁾ and capitalization on an actual and as adjusted basis as of January 25, 2012. Our consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization, as adjusted, gives effect to the issuance of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement. This table should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and notes in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2011 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 25, 2012 incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

The Notes will be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of July 15, 2008, between Heinz and Union Bank, N.A. (f/k/a Union Bank of California, N.A.), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The following description of the particular terms of the Notes of each series offered by this prospectus supplement augments, and to the extent inconsistent replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities under “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. The following discussion summarizes selected provisions of the Indenture. Because this is only a summary, it is not complete and does not describe every aspect of the Notes and the Indenture. Whenever there is a reference to defined terms of the Indenture, the defined terms are incorporated by reference, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by that reference.

A copy of the Indenture can be obtained by following the instructions under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus. You should read the Indenture for provisions that may be important to you but which are not included in this summary.

The Notes will mature on , at 100% of their principal amount, and the Notes will mature on , at 100% of their principal amount. The Notes will be our general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank on parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The Notes will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables. As of April 27, 2011, a portion of our long-term debt was incurred by H. J. Heinz Finance Company and H. J. Heinz Finance UK PLC and is structurally senior to the Notes. See Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2011 and Note 12 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 25, 2012 incorporated by reference herein for additional detail about our debt and financing arrangements.

The Indenture does not limit the amount of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue under the Indenture and provides that notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Notes and the Notes will each constitute a separate series of securities under the Indenture.

We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of either series of the Notes, issue securities having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as either series of the Notes other than issue date, issue price and the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the additional securities. Any additional securities having such similar terms, together with the relevant series of the Notes, will constitute a single series of securities under the Indenture.

The Notes will bear interest at the rate of % per year, and the Notes will bear interest at the rate of % per year, each from , 2012 payable semiannually in arrears on and of each year, commencing , to the persons in whose names the Notes were registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding , and , respectively (whether or not a business day). Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Principal and interest will be payable, and the Notes will be transferable or exchangeable, at the office or

offices or agency maintained by us for this purpose. Payment of interest on the Notes may be made at our option by check mailed to the registered holders.

Any payment otherwise required to be made in respect of the Notes on a date that is not a business day for the Notes may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on that date. No additional interest shall accrue as a result of a delayed payment. A “business day” is defined in the Indenture as a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the Notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. The Notes of each series will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. The Notes will be available only in book entry form. See “Forms of Securities—Registered global securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

We will initially appoint the Trustee at its corporate trust office as a paying agent, transfer agent and registrar for the Notes. We will cause each transfer agent to act as a co-registrar and will cause to be kept at the office of the registrar a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as we may prescribe, we will provide for the registration of the Notes and registration of transfers of the Notes. We may vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent or transfer agent, or appoint additional or other such agents or approve any change in the office through which any such agent acts. We will provide you with notice of any resignation, termination or appointment of the Trustee or any paying agent or transfer agent, and of any change in the office through which any such agent will act.

The Notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part.

The redemption price for the Notes to be redeemed on any redemption date will be equal to the greater of the following amounts:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date will be payable on the interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the Notes and the Indenture. The redemption price will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

We will mail notice of any redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each registered holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion of the Notes called for redemption (unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest). On or before the redemption date, we will deposit with a paying agent or the Trustee money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate. The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund.

The Notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part. The redemption price for the Notes to be redeemed on any redemption date that is prior to the date that is three months prior to the maturity date will be equal to the greater of the following amounts:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date.

At any time on or after the date that is three months prior to the maturity date, the Notes may be redeemed at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed on the redemption date plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to the redemption date.

a paying agent or the Trustee money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate. The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, such quotation.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC (or their affiliates which are Primary Treasury Dealers (as defined below)), and their successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer(s) selected by us.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined below), unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes of a series as described above under “—Optional redemption of the Notes” and “—Optional redemption of the Notes,” the Indenture provides that each holder of Notes of such series will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion (equal to $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s Notes of such series pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurred, or at our option prior to any Change of Control (as defined below) but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we will be required to send, by first class mail, a notice to each holder of Notes of such series, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice will state, among other things, the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the “Change of Control

Payment Date”). The notice, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. Our ability to pay cash to the holders of Notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by our then-existing financial resources. Therefore, sufficient funds may not be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

The definition of “Change of Control” under the Indenture includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ properties or assets taken as a whole. There is no precise established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of Notes to require us to repurchase such holder’s Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event conditional upon such Change of Control.

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Indenture or the Notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Indenture or the Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we would decide to do so in the future. We could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control, but that could increase the amount of debt outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or adversely affect our credit ratings.

Definitions related to offers to repurchase the Notes upon Change of Control Triggering Events

2. in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

3. in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

4. any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing person.

1. the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our properties or assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us or one of our subsidiaries;

2. the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us or one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of our Voting Stock, measured by voting power rather than number of shares;

3. the first day on which a majority of the members of our Board of Directors cease to be Continuing Directors; or

4. the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution by our Board of Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a Change of Control if (a) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (b)(x) immediately following that transaction, the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of the holding company are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (y) immediately following that transaction no person is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting stock of such holding company.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our Board of Directors who (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the issuance of the Notes; or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment.

“Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s), a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) and a rating of BBB- or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the Notes of the applicable series or fails to make a rating of the Notes of the applicable series publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our Board of Directors and reasonably acceptable to the Trustee) as a replacement agency for Moody’s , S&P or Fitch, or each of them, as the case may be.

“Rating Event” means (i) the rating of the Notes of the applicable series is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of the first public notice of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (b) our intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes of the applicable series is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) and (ii) the Notes of the applicable series are rated below an Investment Grade rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the Trigger Period; provided that a rating event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event).

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to a corporation or other entity, Capital Stock of any class or classes entitled to vote under ordinary circumstances in the election of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such entity (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency).

The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Union Bank, N.A. is the Trustee under the Indenture, with its corporate trust office at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10020, United States of America.

We maintain lines of credit and have customary banking relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustee may serve as trustee for other debt securities issued by the Company from time to time.

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into the Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise those rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. No provision of the Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties thereunder, or in the exercise of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of Notes purchased in this offering at the “issue price,” which we assume, for each series of Notes, will be the applicable “issue price” indicated on the cover of this prospectus supplement, and held as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences and differing tax consequences that may apply to you, for instance if you are:

If you are a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of your partners will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein. If you are considering the purchase of Notes, you should consult your tax adviser with regard to the application of the U.S. federal tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.

This section applies to you if you are a U.S. Holder. You are a U.S. Holder if for U.S. federal income tax purposes you are a beneficial owner of a Note that is:

In the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event, you will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of your Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, as described under “Description of Notes—Offer to repurchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event.”

Although the issue is not free from doubt, the Company believes that the possibility of such repurchase does not result in the Notes being treated as contingent payment debt instruments

under the applicable Treasury regulations. The Company’s position is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). If the IRS takes a contrary position, you may be required to treat any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the Notes as ordinary income rather than as capital gain. Furthermore, you would be required to accrue interest income on a constant yield basis at an assumed yield determined at the time of issuance of the Notes (which is not expected to differ significantly from the actual yield on the Notes). You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Notes being treated as contingent payment debt instruments. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments.

Stated interest paid on a Note will be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received, in accordance with your method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. It is expected, and therefore this discussion assumes, that each series of the Notes will be issued without original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note, you will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement and your adjusted tax basis in the Note. For these purposes, the amount realized does not include any amount attributable to accrued interest, which would be treated as described under “Payments of interest” above. Gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or retirement the Note has been held for more than one year.

With certain exceptions, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the Notes and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the Notes. You may be subject to backup withholding on these payments if you fail to comply with certain certification procedures. The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

This section applies to you if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. You are a Non-U.S. Holder if for U.S. federal income tax purposes you are a beneficial owner of a Note that is:

You are not a Non-U.S. Holder if you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition, in which case you should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of disposing of a Note.

Payments to you on a Note, and any gain you realize on a sale or exchange of your Notes, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, provided generally that (i) you certify on a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN that you are not a United States person;

and (ii) such amounts are not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

If interest or gain from a Note is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, you will generally be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise, except that you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from the withholding tax described above. In this event, you should consult your tax adviser with respect to other U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of Notes, including the possible imposition of a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate) if you are a corporation.

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of interest on the Notes. Unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person, information returns may also be filed with the IRS in connection with the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of a Note, and you may be subject to backup withholding on payments on the Notes or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the Notes. The certification procedure required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Notes held by certain persons connected with Pennsylvania, principally individuals and partnerships resident in Pennsylvania and resident trustees of trusts for resident beneficiaries, will be subject to the Pennsylvania Corporate Loans Tax. The Company will be required to withhold from interest payments and remit to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue the Pennsylvania Corporate Loans Tax at the current annual rate of four mills for each dollar of principal amount of the Notes ($4.00 on each $1,000 of principal amount) held by or for those subject to such tax. The Notes will be exempt, under current law, from personal property taxes imposed by political subdivisions in Pennsylvania.

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the principal amount of the Notes of each series set forth opposite its name below:

The underwriters are offering the Notes subject to their acceptance of the Notes from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to certain conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any such Notes are taken.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Notes directly to the public at the offering prices described on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters initially propose to offer to certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the Notes and % of the principal amount of the Notes. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the Notes and % of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the Notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms.

The following table shows the underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with the offering of the Notes:

We have also agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the prices of the Notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the Notes, creating syndicate short positions. In addition, the underwriters may bid for and purchase Notes in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the prices of the Notes. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the Notes in the offering of the Notes, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed Notes in syndicate covering transactions, stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market prices of the Notes above independent market levels.

The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end any of them at any time. The Notes are new issues of securities and there are currently no established trading markets for the Notes. We do not intend to apply for listings of the Notes on any securities exchange or quotation on an automated dealer quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any markets for the Notes. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the Notes of each series. However, they are not obligated to do so, and any market making with respect to the Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice.

Expenses associated with this offering to be paid by us, other than underwriting discounts, are estimated to be approximately $ .

From time to time in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in and may in the future engage in commercial banking, derivatives and/or financial advisory, investment banking and other commercial transactions and services with us and our affiliates.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

(b) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters for any such offer; or

provided that no such offer of Notes shall require Heinz or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of Notes to the public in relation to any Notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services Markets Act of 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to Heinz; and

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Washington, D.C.

We may offer from time to time debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or units. We may offer the securities separately or together, in separate series or classes and in amounts, at prices and on terms described in one or more offerings.

We will provide the specific terms of the securities in supplements to this prospectus.

We urge you to carefully read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, which will describe the specific terms of these securities, before you make your investment decision.

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other recently filed quarterly or current reports and, if any, in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. The terms “Heinz,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to H.J. Heinz Company and its subsidiaries.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before deciding to invest in any of the securities being offered.

We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

H.J. Heinz Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania on July 27, 1900. In 1905, it succeeded to the business of a partnership operating under the same name which had developed from a food business founded in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania by Henry J. Heinz. Heinz manufactures and markets an extensive line of food products throughout the world. The Company’s principal products include ketchup, condiments and sauces, frozen food, soups, beans and pasta meals, infant nutrition and other food products.

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions, retirement of debt and other business opportunities.

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Earnings were calculated by adding income from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense (including amortization of debt expense and any discount or premium relating to indebtedness), the interest component of rental expense and the amortization of capitalized interest. Fixed charges were calculated by adding interest expense (including amortization of debt expense and any discount or premium relating to indebtedness), capitalized interest and the interest component of rental expense.

This prospectus contains a summary of the securities that Heinz may sell. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However, this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any debt securities offered and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to such offered debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such offered debt securities. In this section, the term “Company” refers to H.J. Heinz Company and not to any of its subsidiaries.

The debt securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of July 15, 2008, between the Company and Union Bank, N.A. (f/k/a Union Bank of California, N.A.), as Trustee (the “Trustee”), which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following summary of certain general provisions of the Indenture and the debt securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Whenever particular provisions in the Indenture are referred to herein, such provisions are incorporated by reference herein. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms in this section have the definitions ascribed to such terms in the Indenture, which definitions are incorporated by reference herein. The terms of any supplemental indenture entered into in connection with a particular issuance of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such offered debt securities.

References to “holders” in this section mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the applicable trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.

The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating thereto, the debt securities will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Accordingly, your ownership of debt securities means you are one of our unsecured creditors. The Indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities, other than certain secured indebtedness as described below, that may be issued by the Company.

Debt securities of a series will be issued in registered form (“Securities”) as specified in the terms of the series. Debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities (“Global Securities”) registered in the name of a depository or its nominee and, in such case, beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the designated depository and its participants.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities offered thereby for the terms of the offered debt securities, including:

Reference is also made to the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities offered thereby for information with respect to warrants to purchase such offered debt securities, if any.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating thereto, principal (and premium, if any) will be payable and the Securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York. Unless other arrangements are made, interest, if any, will be paid by checks mailed to the holders of

Securities at their registered addresses. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

One or more series of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities (bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

The Company may at any time purchase debt securities at any price in the open market or otherwise. Debt securities so purchased by the Company may, at its sole option, be held, resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Except as described below and unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement relating to any offered debt securities, there are no covenants or provisions contained in the Indenture which may afford the holders of offered debt securities direct protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.

“Capital Stock,” as applied to the stock of any corporation, means the capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such corporation.

“Consolidated Net Assets” means total assets after deducting therefrom all current liabilities as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Funded Debt” means (i) all indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the determination is made or having a maturity of 12 months or less but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower and (ii) rental obligations payable more than 12 months from such date under leases which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (such rental obligations to be included as Funded Debt at the amount so capitalized and to be included for the purposes of the definition of Consolidated Net Assets both as an asset and as Funded Debt at the amount so capitalized).

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Principal Property” means any manufacturing or processing plant or warehouse owned at the date of the Indenture or hereafter acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is located within the United States and the gross book value (including related land and improvements thereon and all machinery and equipment included therein without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 2% of Consolidated Net Assets other than (i) any such manufacturing or processing plant or warehouse or any portion thereof (together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof) which is financed by industrial development bonds which are tax exempt pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (or which receive similar tax treatment under any subsequent amendments thereto or any successor laws thereof or under any other similar statute of the United States), (ii) any property which in the opinion of the board of directors is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company as an entirety, or (iii) any portion of a particular property which is similarly found not to be of material importance to the use or operation of such property.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company (i) substantially all the property of which is located, or substantially all the business of which is carried on, within the United States and (ii) which owns a Principal Property.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which at the time of determination is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and/or by one or more other Subsidiaries.

“Voting Stock” means Capital Stock of a corporation of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency).

If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall after the date of the Indenture incur, issue, assume or guarantee any loans, or any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed (“Debt”) secured by a mortgage, pledge or lien (“Mortgage”) on any Principal Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or on any share of Capital Stock or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will secure or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to secure the debt securities, other than any series of debt securities established by or pursuant to a board resolution or in one or more supplemental indentures which specifically provide otherwise, equally and ratably with (or, at the Company’s option, prior to) such secured Debt, unless the aggregate amount of all such secured Debt would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Assets.

The above restrictions will not apply to, and there will be excluded from secured Debt in any computation under such restrictions, Debt secured by (1) Mortgages on property of, or on any shares of Capital Stock of or Debt of, any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; (2) Mortgages in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (3) Mortgages in favor of any governmental body to secure progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or provision of any statute; (4) Mortgages on property, shares of Capital Stock or Debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction thereon or to secure any Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after the later of the acquisition of such property, shares of Capital Stock or Debt or the completion of construction for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction thereon; (5) Mortgages securing obligations issued by a State, territory or possession of the United States, any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the District of Columbia, or any instrumentality of any of the foregoing to finance the acquisition or construction of property, and on which the interest is not, in the opinion of tax counsel of recognized standing or in accordance with a ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Service, includible in gross income of the holder by reason of Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor to such provision or any other similar statute of the United States) as in effect at the time of the issuance of such obligations; (6) Mechanics’, materialmen’s, carriers’ or other like liens arising in the ordinary course of business (including construction of facilities) in respect of obligations which are not due or which are being contested in good faith; (7) any Mortgage arising by reason of deposits with, or the giving of any form of security to, any governmental agency or any body created or approved by law or governmental regulations, which is required by law or governmental regulation as a condition to the transaction of any business, or the exercise of any privilege, franchise or license; (8) Mortgages for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent, or mortgages for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies already delinquent but the validity of which is being contested in good faith; (9) Mortgages (including judgment liens) arising in connection with legal proceedings so long as such proceedings are being contested in good faith and, in the case of judgment liens, execution thereon is stayed; (10) Mortgages existing at the date of the Indenture; and (11) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (1) to (10), inclusive; provided, however, that such extension, renewal or replacement Mortgage shall be limited to all or part of the same property, shares of Capital Stock or Debt that secured the Mortgage extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property).

The Company covenants that it will not merge or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets unless the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor Person is a Person organized under the laws of the United States (including any state thereof and the District of Columbia) which expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on all the debt securities and under the Indenture and, after giving effect to such transaction, the Company or the successor Person would not be in default under the Indenture.

The Indenture defines “Events of Default” with respect to the debt securities of any series as being one of the following events: (i) default in the payment of any installment of interest on that series for 30 days after becoming due; (ii) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) that series when due; (iii) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; (iv) default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the debt securities of that series or the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of any series of debt securities other than that series) for 90 days after notice to us by the Trustee or to us and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities; (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company; and (vi) any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal (or such portion thereof as may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series) of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable. Under certain conditions, such a declaration may be annulled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default pursuant to (v) above occurs with respect to the Company, the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities shall become and be immediately due and payable without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any holder.

The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default known to it, give the holders of debt securities notice of all uncured defaults known to it (the term “default” to mean the events specified above without grace periods); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Debt Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities.

The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by an officer of the Company stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions under the Indenture and, if the Company is in default, specifying each such default.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, and to waive certain defaults with respect thereto. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.

With certain exceptions, the Indenture may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may be made, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, which would (i) reduce the principal amount of or the interest on any debt security, change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, or the other terms of payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the above-stated percentage of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required to modify or amend the Indenture, or the percentage of debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or to waive certain past defaults.

The Indenture provides that the Company may elect, with respect to the debt securities of any series, either:

(i) to terminate (and be deemed to have satisfied) any and all obligations in respect of such debt securities (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange or debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and, if so specified with respect to the debt securities of a certain series, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such specified debt securities and certain obligations owed to the Trustee); or

(ii) to be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under Section 10.04 of the Indenture (being the restrictions described above under “Restrictions on Secured Debt”)

in either case on the 91st day after the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) which through the payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal (and premium, if any (and interest, if any)), on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of such debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such debt securities. Such a trust may be established only if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel to the Company) to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. federal income tax law or a ruling published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (which opinion must be based on a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law after the date of the Indenture or a ruling published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service after the date of the Indenture), such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders of such debt securities. The designation of such provisions, U.S. federal income tax consequences and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. If so specified with respect to the debt securities of a series, such a trust may be established only if establishment of the trust would not cause the debt securities of any such series listed on any nationally recognized securities exchange to be de-listed as a result thereof.

The Indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of New York.

Union Bank, N.A. (f/k/a Union Bank of California, N.A.) is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Company as initial Security Registrar with regard to the debt securities. The Company currently does, and from time to time in the future may, maintain lines of credit and have customary banking relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates. In addition, the Trustee may serve as trustee for other debt securities issued by the Company from time to time.

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under the Indenture.

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities or any combination of such securities.

Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

We may issue the registered debt securities, warrants and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security

desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Heinz, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of Heinz, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

Heinz may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:

The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If we use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from Heinz at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed

delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with Heinz to indemnification by Heinz against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make. Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Heinz and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

Heinz files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy this information at the following location of the Securities and Exchange Commission:

You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains an Internet worldwide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers like Heinz who file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows Heinz to “incorporate by reference” information into this document. This means that Heinz can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this document, except for any information superseded by information that is included directly in this document or incorporated by reference subsequent to the date of this document.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings that Heinz makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than information in the documents or filings that is deemed to have been furnished and not filed), until all the securities offered under this prospectus are sold.

Documents incorporated by reference are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission as described above or from Heinz without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this document. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this document by requesting them in writing or by telephone at the following address:

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and Heinz’s financial statements and other documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates” or similar expressions and include our expectations as to future revenue growth, earnings, capital expenditures and other spending, dividend policy, and planned credit rating, as well as anticipated reductions in spending. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s view of future events and financial performance. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which may be beyond Heinz’s control, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from such statements include, but are not limited to:

The forward-looking statements are and will be based on management’s then current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the securities laws.

The validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed on for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


About this prospectus supplement			S-1
Prospectus supplement summary			S-2
The offering			S-3
Risk factors			S-6
Use of proceeds			S-7
Capitalization			S-8
Description of Notes			S-9
Material U.S. federal income tax consequences			S-16
Pennsylvania tax considerations			S-19
Underwriting			S-20
Validity of the Notes			S-23


About This Prospectus			1
H. J. Heinz Company			1
Use of Proceeds			2
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			2
Description of Securities			2
Description of Debt Securities			3
Description of Warrants			9
Description of Purchase Contracts			9
Description of Units			9
Forms of Securities			10
Plan of Distribution			12
Where You Can Find More Information			14
Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements			15
Validity of the Securities			16
Experts			16


	As of January 25, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Actual		As Adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents(1)	$	907,198	$

Short-term debt		31,361
Portion of long-term debt due within one year		815,475
Long-term debt (excluding the Notes offered hereby)(2)		4,177,902
Notes offered hereby		—

Total long-term debt		4,177,902
Total H. J. Heinz Company shareholders’ equity		2,850,251

Total capitalization	$	7,874,989	$


Underwriter	Principal amount of Notes	Principal amount of Notes
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC	$	$
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
UBS Securities LLC


Total	$	$


	Paid by Heinz
Per Note		%
Per Note		%
Total		$


BofA Merrill Lynch		J.P. Morgan		UBS Investment Bank


	Page

About This Prospectus		1
H.J. Heinz Company		1
Use of Proceeds		2
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		2
Description of Securities		2
Description of Debt Securities		3
Description of Warrants		9
Description of Purchase Contracts		9
Description of Units		9
Forms of Securities		10
Plan of Distribution		12
Where You Can Find More Information		14
Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements		15
Validity of the Securities		16
Experts		16


	Three months ended		Fiscal years ended
	July 27, 2011		April 27, 2011 (52 weeks)		April 28, 2010 (52 weeks)		April 29, 2009 (52 weeks)		April 30, 2008 (52 weeks)		May 2, 2007 (52 weeks)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		4.68		5.37		4.72		4.47		4.06		4.03


H.J. Heinz Company Securities and Exchange Commission Filings		Period or date filed
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Fiscal year ended April 27, 2011
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on August 26, 2011
Current Reports on Form 8-K		Filed on May 26, 2011 (Item 2.05 only) Filed on July 7, 2011 Filed on September 2, 2011