Scientists Present Lycopene Impact on Male Infertility — Heinz Promotes Lycopene and Living Well at 2004 ADA Conference in Anaheim

Business Wire, Sept 30, 2004

PITTSBURGH -- H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ), the industry leader in lycopene education and information, will host a discussion on new research findings about the positive impact that the antioxidant lycopene has on the overall health of men. The discussion will especially focus on how increased levels of lycopene can impact prostate cancer and infertility, where recent studies demonstrate that the antioxidant improves the quality of sperm in infertile men.

Lycopene is a natural antioxidant found abundantly in tomato products. Previous studies have shown that the heat processing of tomatoes makes lycopene even more available for absorption by the body.

This discussion, as well as a number of additional Heinz activities, will take place during the 2004 American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (ADA FNCE), hosted this year in Anaheim, Calif. The conference runs from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 at the Anaheim Convention Center. During the ADA, Heinz will also host two cooking demonstrations and distribute its 2005 Lycopene and Living Well calendar, featuring illustrations by pop artist Burton Morris, the official artist of the 2004 Academy Awards.

Lycopene and Men's Health

Armand Zini, M.D., head, Division of Urology, St. Mary's Hospital and Associate Professor of Urology, McGill University, Montreal, will present findings on lycopene and its impact on male infertility. Joining Dr. Zini will be Tammy Bray, Ph.D., dean, College of Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, who will present the effect of lycopene as an anti-inflammatory in cardiovascular disease. Also attending will be Emma S. Guns, Ph.D., who is an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia; head, Analytical Pharmacology and Natural Products Research Program; and head of The Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. Dr. Guns will discuss her research related to lycopene and prostate cancer.

According to Dr. Zini, "Infertility affects 15% of all couples, and 30 to 50% of these couples have an abnormality detectable in the male partner that contributes to their difficulty in achieving pregnancy. Recent studies show that lycopene supplementation improves the quality of sperm in infertile men, so we believe this research is a potentially promising discovery in the treatment of infertility. Additional studies in this area would help support the use of lycopene supplementation in the treatment of infertile men."

The research will be presented to conference attendees during an ADA educational seminar on Sunday, Oct. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Lunching with Lycopene, Media Welcome

Immediately following the educational seminar on Sunday, Dr. Zini and Dr. Guns will join David Yeung, Ph.D., director - Global Nutrition, H.J. Heinz Company and Ida Laquatra, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N., a nutritional consultant to Heinz, for a media luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. in room B202. The media will hear and discuss with panelists a synopsis of the findings presented immediately prior to the lunch during the educational seminar and will learn how to incorporate more lycopene into their diets--while enjoying a meal rich with lycopene.

Lycopene and Living Well - All Year 'Round

Heinz also has created a dynamic 2005 desktop or countertop calendar to be distributed at ADA this year, which features 12 great recipes and facts about the benefits of eating lycopene, the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color. The calendar features the artwork of Burton Morris, whose unique and contemporary style continues to grow in popularity and recognition. He created the official poster for the 2004 Academy Awards and another for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. The calendar is co-authored by Dr. David Yeung, Heinz Chef Alan McDonald and Dr. Ida Laquatra.

Mr. Morris is scheduled for a calendar-signing session from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4, at the Heinz Booth, #2622.

In the Kitchen

In addition to hearing educational discussions about lycopene, conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn how they can add more lycopene to their diets, as Heinz Chef Alan McDonald demonstrates a variety of tempting and tasty recipes using fresh and processed tomatoes -- which provide the best sources for lycopene. Dr. David Yeung will join "Chef Al" on Sunday, Oct. 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. and again on Monday, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Demonstration Theater on the main floor of the Convention Center.

About Heinz

H.J. Heinz Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of branded foods in ketchup, condiments, sauces, meals, soups, seafood, snacks and infant foods. Heinz is a global family of leading brands, including Heinz(R) Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing nearly one-third of total sales), Ore-Ida(R) french fries, Boston Market(R) and Smart Ones(R) meals and Plasmon(R) baby food. Heinz's 50 companies have number-one or number-two brands in 200 countries, showcased by Heinz(R) Ketchup, the world's favorite ketchup. Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com