The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) is a leading global food and beverage corporation with a rich legacy of over 150 years in delivering high-quality, safe, and innovative products. Formed in 2015 through the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation, KHC operates in approximately 40 countries with around 36,000 employees worldwide and manages 75 manufacturing and processing facilities as of 2023. The company is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, with its EU office located in London, United Kingdom.
KHC’s lobbying activities in the European Union focus on key policy areas including food safety, nutrition, trade, agriculture, sustainability, environment, food labeling, food reformulation, and nutrition and health claims. The company emphasizes progressive business practices grounded in scale, agility, and meritocracy, alongside a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Kraft Heinz’s ESG strategy is structured around three pillars: Healthy Living & Community Support, Environmental Stewardship, and Responsible Sourcing. The company has set ambitious goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water consumption, and waste by 15% by 2020, and achieving full traceability in its supply chain, particularly for palm oil commodities. Transparency and ethical sourcing are central to its operations, supported by partnerships with organizations like the Rainforest Alliance.
In terms of lobbying, KHC is registered with the EU Transparency Register since July 31, 2015, under registration number 010822218390-62. The company has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency and compliance, including annual internal audits of lobbying practices and public disclosure of political contributions through its Political Action Committee (PAC). Its lobbying expenditure in the EU for the financial year February 2022 to January 2023 ranged between €100,000 and €199,999.
The company employs a small but dedicated team of lobbyists in the EU, with three declared lobbyists amounting to 1 full-time equivalent (FTE), one of whom holds European Parliament accreditation. Since its registration, KHC has engaged in multiple meetings with the European Commission and other EU institutions to advocate on its priority issues.
Kraft Heinz also networks with various affiliated organizations and trade associations to further its advocacy goals, aligning its lobbying efforts with broader industry and sustainability initiatives. The company’s lobbying approach is integrated with its wider ESG governance, overseen by its Board and ESG Steering Committee, ensuring alignment with corporate values and stakeholder expectations.
