EXHIBIT 32(a)

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

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

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

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

Date: June 17, 2004

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