PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003--Ties, tees . . . and tomatoes? Every dad deserves something great, and this Father's Day, Heinz is making it easy to treat dad to something that is great for him - lycopene-rich tomato dishes.

A recent collection of recipes from Heinz makes it easy for cooks everywhere to create healthy dinner alternatives for dad on his special day. With Great Tomato! 57 fabulous recipes for great taste and great health, everyone can prepare lycopene-rich dishes using products such as Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Classico Pasta Sauces, giving dad some healthy choices this Father's Day.

In addition to delicious recipes, the book provides consumers with information about lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found abundantly in tomatoes and tomato products, and how to incorporate the carotenoid into their diets. Interestingly, it has been determined that heat-processing tomatoes releases up to 2.5 times the lycopene from the fruit, making it more bioavailable and absorbable in the body than lycopene from fresh tomatoes.

Lycopene May Reduce Occurrence of Prostate Cancer

Research has shown that lycopene may help reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer and heart disease. Recently, studies have indicated that lycopene may help in the fight against prostate cancer, the most commonly detected non-skin cancer in the United States, that claiming the lives of 30,000 American men annually.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in six men will be at risk for prostate cancer in his lifetime. One lycopene study showed a reduction in the risk of prostate cancer in almost 35 percent of men who consumed 10 or more servings of tomato products per week. The same study suggested that the more tomato products men consumed, the less likely it was that they would suffer from prostate cancer.

In a new effort to strengthen the fight against prostate cancer, Heinz North America will team up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation June 9-15 to support the 2003 CaP CURE Home Run Challenge. During this time, Heinz will donate $5 for every three product proofs-of-purchase mailed in by consumers.

"Research suggests that a healthy diet that includes tomatoes and tomato products may help in the prevention of prostate cancer," said Dr. David Yeung, general manager, global nutrition, H.J. Heinz Company. "Heinz is very pleased to be teaming up with CaP CURE on such an important program."

Great Tomato!

Great Tomato! features six chapters including recipes for chicken, vegetarian, beef, pork and seafood dishes. The cookbook also includes a chapter that highlights recipes with portions perfect for entertaining. Recipes range from traditional family favorites like Classic Two Sauce Lasagna to more exotic choices such as Mussels Marinara.

Great Tomato! is a spiral-bound paperback published by arpr, Inc., of Pittsburgh, Pa. The 79-page book is priced at $9.50 in the U.S. and $14.95 in Canada, and is available for purchase online at knowlegeinanutshell.com, barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.

About Heinz

H. J. Heinz Company is one of the world's leading processors and marketers of high-quality ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant foods through all retail and foodservice channels. A host of favorite brands, such as Heinz(R) ketchup, Ore-Ida(R) french fries, Boston Market(R) and Smart Ones(R) meals and Plasmon(R) baby food are the growth drivers in Heinz's two strategic global segments: Meal Enhancers and Meals & Snacks. Heinz's 50 companies have number-one or number-two brands in 200 countries, showcased by the Heinz(R) brand, a global consumer icon with $2.5 billion in annual sales. Fourteen additional brands, each with more than $100 million in annual sales, generate a further $2.6 billion. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

    Available for interviews: Dr. David Yeung, H.J. Heinz Company

    Sample Recipe from Great Tomato!

    Beef and Bean Burritos

    Shredded lettuce
    1.5 ounce (140 g) can pinto beans
    1 cup (250 ml) bottled tomato salsa
    1 cup (250 ml) Heinz Tomato Ketchup
    1- 1/2 (375 ml) cups shredded cheddar cheese
    1/2 pound (250 g) lean ground beef
    8 flour tortillas

    Directions:

In large skillet, brown beef; drain fat. Add Heinz Tomato Ketchup, salsa and beans; heat. Spoon about 1/2 cup beef mixture down center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Fold tortilla around fillings. Line serving plates with lettuce. Place burritos seam-side down on lettuce. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and additional salsa, if desired.

Makes 8 burritos

Calories: 368 Lycopene: 9.3 mg

    CONTACT: For H.J. Heinz Company Shannon Severino, 412/473-3415
             or
             H.J. Heinz Company Debbie Foster, 412/456-5778

    SOURCE: H.J. Heinz Company