Heinz Opens its Largest Infant Cereals Factory
HJ Heinz Company has opened its largest infant cereal production plant in the world. The 80,000 square meter state-of-the-art factory, located in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, ushers in a new chapter for Heinz’s growth in China, a longstanding strategic location for the US-based food group.
The grand opening and commencement of production at the factory coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heinz’s presence in China, where it operates six other facilities. The factory will create 200 new jobs for the Foshan region and position Heinz to significantly increase production in the country.
The new factory integrates the food industry’s most advanced infrastructure to uphold the company’s relentless focus on quality and safety. Advanced technologies, including drum dryers, powder handling systems and packaging machinery from global leaders including Andrtiz Gouda, GEA Group, and Bosch, will enhance production speed, while ensuring the most stringent quality controls. Every product that leaves this factory must undergo rigorous quality tests, from raw materials through semi-finished product to finished products, before being shipped to market.
Additionally, addressing Chinese consumers’ concerns about food allergens, this facility will completely isolate allergens from raw material storage to the production process in order to exceed international standards and serve as an industry leader in the handling of allergens.
One of the first Fortune 500 companies to enter China, today Heinz is one of the world’s largest producers of baby rice cereal and bottled baby food, trusted globally for its quality and enduring expertise in infant nutrition. Heinz infant cereals have been available in the Chinese market for 30 years, constantly holding the No. 1 market position. Data shows that more than 50% of infants in China eat Heinz products on a regular basis.
“We have consistently lived our Heinz value of putting the consumer first, focusing on the development and innovation of infant nutrition ranging from infant formula and cereals to wet baby foods and noodles, to teething rusks, and nutritional snacks. We are committed to providing Chinese babies with the safest and highest quality foods,” says Grace Chen, Managing Director of Heinz China.
