Kraft Heinz
Food and beverages
Formed in 2015 when Heinz and Kraft merged, creating the 3rd largest food and beverage company in North America and the 5th largest food and beverage company in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands.

Overall

Owned USA
Rating F
About the Ratings
Kraft Heinz Company
USA
Berkshire Hathaway Inc
owns 27% of Kraft Heinz Company
USA
Conglomerate
The world's 3rd richest man, Warren Buffett, owns about a quarter of the company. Berkshire Hathaway owns stakes of $1 billion or more in many companies including American Express, The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, Sanofi, Wells Fargo, and IBM. Acquired half of Heinz in 2013.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Kraft Heinz Company
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Criticism
Palm oil sourcing
This company sources palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance.
12/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 12/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
4/27 in pesticides scorecard
Over the last 60 years farming has become dependent on the intensive use of chemicals. As You Sow's 2021 report, Pesticides in the Pantry, examines the growing risks posed by the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural supply chains to food manufacturers, and scores companies on their efforts to reduce pesticide use in their supply chains. Scores ranged from 16 to 0, with an average score of 7.5. This company received a score of 4/27.
0.3% in CF Marketing Index
The CF Marketing Index 2024 assesses how well companies making baby food are following international guidelines for marketing their products. The Index aims to ensure baby foods are marketed responsibly. This company scored 0.3%. The highest score was 25% and the average score was a disappointing 14%.
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 19.44/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
D+ grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D+.
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2021 assesses 227 companies on the actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'lagging behind' with a score of 10.96 out of a possible total of 24.
13.8% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 13.8%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses how the world's 25 largest global food and beverage manufacturers contribute to addressing malnutrition in all its forms: overweight and obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. All have been assessed on their commitments, practices, and disclosure with regards to governance and management; the production and distribution of healthy, affordable, accessible products; and how they influence consumer choices and behavior. Of the 25 companies ranked, this company came 20th.
18.5% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #69/112, with a total score of 18.5%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
Tier 5 in farm animal welfare rankings
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 5, "On the business agenda but limited evidence of implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Fined for wheat price manipulation
In 2019 the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said that Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International will pay $16m in penalty regarding a wheat manipulation case that dates back to 2015. The CFTC said Kraft and Mondelez came up with a strategy to purchase and stand for delivery on more than 3,000 futures contracts, priced at about $90m, to send the market a false signal that the companies had demand for wheat. The lawsuit was filed by wheat futures and options traders who accused Kraft and Mondelez of illegally manipulating the grain's price at their expense.
Part ownership by Berkshire Hathaway
Kraft Heinz is 27% owned by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway, who get an 'F' rating.
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2021 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Miguel Patricio came in at number 6 on the list, having been paid US$43,297,480 in 2020. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
$62m accounting fraud settlement
In 2021 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged this company with engaging in a long-running expense management scheme that resulted in the restatement of several years of financial reporting. The SEC also charged Kraft's former executives for their misconduct related to the scheme. Kraft consented to cease and desist from future violations and pay a civil penalty of US$62 million.
Source: SEC (2021)
Information
Plastic pollution
In 2018 volunteers collected and catalogued more than 187,000 pieces of trash from beach cleanups around the world to find out which corporations are contributing the most to the global plastic pollution problem. While not in the top 10, this company ranked as one of the world's worst plastic polluters.
Irresponsible BMS marketing
This company is named and shamed in IBFAN's 2017 report, 'Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2017', evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS), compiled from June 2014 to June 2017. The report covers 792 Code violations from 79 countries and by 28 companies. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Possible GE in US brands
This company has products rated RED in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Products on the RED list contain ingredients that come from the most common GE crops (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Companies with products on this list have confirmed that their products may have or are likely to be made with GE ingredients, or have not denied using GE foods when given the opportunity to do so.
3.6% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 3.6/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
CEO Pay Ratio of 164:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$43,160. The CEO was paid 164 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Gender equality
This company appears on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, signifying a commitment to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.
Cage-free eggs commitment
This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying a commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. Essentially cage-free means barn laid, which is better than cage eggs, but still much worse than free-range or organic eggs when it comes to animal welfare.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Non-GMO products in USA
This company has products that have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
US Plastics Pact signatory
This company is a signatory to the US Plastics Pact, a collaborative effort organized by The Recycling Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund, launched as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's global Plastics Pact network to unify diverse public-private stakeholders across the plastics value chain to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path forward to realize a circular economy for plastic in the United States. In line with the Ellen McArthur Foundation's vision of a circular economy for plastics, which unites more than 850+ organizations, the US Plastics Pact brings together companies, government entities, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to work collectively toward scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges within the U.S. landscape, through vital knowledge sharing and coordinated action.
41.8% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 41.8%.
CDP Forests score of C
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.
Source: CDP (2023)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
8/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 8/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Investment in nanotechnology
Friends of the Earth's 2014 report "Tiny Ingredients, Big Risks" names Heinz as one of over 200 transnational food companies engaged in nanotechnology research and development, and on their way to commercializing products. New studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating nanomaterials may be toxic to humans and the environment.
Source: FOE (2014)
59/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 59/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 432nd of 937 companies, and 18th of 32 Food, Beverage & Tobacco companies.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
28.5% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #69/350, with a total score of 28.5/100.
26.7% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #122/816, with a total score of 26.7/100.

Company Details

Type:
Public company
Founded:
2015
Revenue:
26.5 billion USD (2022)
Employees:
37,000 (2022)
Subsidiaries:
HJ Heinz Company Australia Ltd
Food manufacturing
Heinz began production in Australia in 1935. Bought Golden Circle in 2008 and Cerebos in 2018. In 2015 Heinz merged with Kraft, becoming Kraft Heinz.
Golden Circle Ltd
Fruit and Vegetable Processing
Golden Circle was bought by US food giant Heinz in Dec 2008.
Cerebos (Australia) Ltd
Food and beverage manufacturer
In 2017 Kraft Heinz bought this company from Japanese beverages giant Suntory for $290 million.

Contact Details

Address:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Website:
www.kraftheinzcompany.com

Products / Brands

Kraft Heinz / Oriental Merchant (distributor) Kraft Heinz Australia
Asian Home Gourmet Asian
Bisto Gravy
Cottee's Jam
Cottee's Topping & Syrup
Cottee's Pudding & Custard
Ezy-Sauce Pickles, Chutney & Relish
F. Whitlock & Sons Tomato/BBQ Sauce
F. Whitlock & Sons Soup
F. Whitlock & Sons Baked Beans/Spaghetti
Farex Baby Food
Foster Clark's Pudding & Custard
Fountain Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Fountain Soy/Asian Sauce
Fountain Chilli/Hot Sauce
Fountain Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Fountain Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Golden Circle Canned Fruit
Golden Circle Cordial
Golden Circle Juice & Fruit Drinks
Golden Circle Canned Vegies/Beans
Gravox Gravy
Gravox Stock
Greenseas Canned Fish (Tuna)
Hamper Canned Meat/Meals
Heinz Frozen Meals/Pizza
Heinz Mustard
Heinz Chilli/Hot Sauce
Heinz Pudding & Custard
Heinz Baby Accessories
Heinz Baby Food
★ some products certified organic
Heinz Baby Formula
Heinz Baked Beans/Spaghetti
Heinz Canned Vegies/Beans
Heinz Frozen Vegies/Chips
Heinz Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Heinz Baby Wipes
Heinz Canned Meat/Meals
Heinz Packet Meals
Heinz Soup
Heinz Canned Fruit
Heinz Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Heinz Tomato/BBQ Sauce
HP Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Ice Magic Topping & Syrup
Kraft Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Kraft Cheese
Kraft Easy Mac Packet Meals
Kraft Mac & Cheese Packet Meals
Lea & Perrins Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Little Kids Baby Food
LOL Juice & Fruit Drinks
Monbulk Jam
Popper Juice Juice & Fruit Drinks
Rose's Jam
Saxa Herbs & Spices
Tandaco Herbs & Spices
Tandaco Packet Meals
Tandaco Yeast & Baking Agents
Tom Piper Canned Meat/Meals
Wattie's Baked Beans/Spaghetti
White Crow Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Kraft Heinz Australia / Weight Watchers (brand owner)
Weight Watchers Frozen Meals/Pizza