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                                                               Exhibit 10(a)(xv)

                               H. J. HEINZ COMPANY
                     EXECUTIVE ESTATE LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM

1.       PURPOSE

         The purpose of the H. J. Heinz Company Executive Estate Life Insurance
         Program ("EELIP") is to provide Eligible Executives of H. J. Heinz
         Company (the "Company") the opportunity to forego existing deferred
         compensation balances under the H. J. Heinz Company Executive Deferred
         Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan") in exchange for
         the Company's funding of the purchase of a life insurance policy by the
         Eligible Executive's family trust.

2.       DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of the EELIP, the following terms have the meanings set
         forth below:

         2.01     AGREEMENT TO FOREGO COMPENSATION means the form used by a
                  Participant to make an election to forego Compensation
                  pursuant to Section 3.02 of the EELIP and to participate in
                  the EELIP.

         2.02     BOARD OF DIRECTORS means the Board of Directors of the
                  Company.

         2.03     CHANGE OF CONTROL means a change of control of the Company, as
                  such term is defined in Section 1(b) of the H. J. Heinz
                  Company 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time.

         2.04     COMMITTEE means the Management Development & Compensation
                  Committee of the Board of Directors of H. J. Heinz Company.

         2.05     COMPANY means H. J. Heinz Company and any of its subsidiaries
                  and affiliates.

         2.06     COMPENSATION means amounts a Participant agrees to forego to
                  participate in the EELIP pursuant to Section 3, and shall
                  include existing deferred compensation balances under the H.
                  J. Heinz Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

         2.07     EELIP ADMINISTRATOR means the Committee, or its designee.

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         2.08     EFFECTIVE DATE means December 27, 2001.

         2.09     ELIGIBLE EXECUTIVE means any executive of the Company
                  designated in writing by the Committee to be an Eligible
                  Executive, and therefore eligible to participate in the EELIP.

         2.10     INSURER means, with respect to a Participant's Policy, the
                  insurance company issuing the Policy on the Participant's life
                  (or on the lives of the Participant and the Participant's
                  spouse, in the case of a Survivorship Policy) pursuant to the
                  provisions of the Promissory Note and the EELIP.

         2.11     PARTICIPANT means an Eligible Executive who elects to
                  participate in the EELIP.

         2.12     POLICY means the life insurance coverage acquired on the life
                  of the Participant (or on the lives of the Participant and the
                  Participant's spouse, in the case of a Survivorship Policy)
                  pursuant to the EELIP.

         2.13     PROMISSORY NOTE means the document executed by the Company and
                  the Participant's trust as provided in Section 4.

         2.14     SURVIVORSHIP POLICY means a Policy insuring the lives of the
                  Participant and a Participant's spouse, with the death benefit
                  payable at the death of the last survivor of the Participant
                  and his or her spouse.

3.       PARTICIPATION

         3.01     ELIGIBILITY. Any Eligible Executive shall be eligible to
                  participate in the EELIP. An Eligible Executive shall become a
                  Participant by completing such forms, documents and procedures
                  as specified by the EELIP Administrator. The Participant (and,
                  in the case of a Survivorship Policy, the Participant's
                  spouse) shall cooperate with the Insurer by furnishing any and
                  all information requested by the Insurer in order to
                  facilitate the issuance of the Policy, including furnishing
                  such medical information and taking such physical examinations
                  as the Insurer may deem necessary. In the absence of such
                  cooperation, the Company shall have no further obligation to
                  the Participant to allow him or her to participate in the
                  EELIP.

         3.02     ELECTION TO FOREGO COMPENSATION. As a condition of
                  participating in the EELIP, each Participant shall be required
                  to make an election in which

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                  the Participant shall commit to forego the receipt of a
                  specified amount of Compensation. The Participant shall make
                  an election to forego Compensation by execution of an
                  Agreement to Forego Compensation prior to the Policy effective
                  date. The amounts that a Participant agrees to forego pursuant
                  to such election, unless precluded by tax or other laws to the
                  contrary, shall be included in determining a Participant's
                  compensation for purposes of any benefit plans maintained by
                  the Company to the same extent as if such Compensation had
                  been paid to the Eligible Executive at the time the Eligible
                  Executive agrees to forego such Compensation and shall be
                  valued as of the date the Agreement to Forego Compensation is
                  completed by the Eligible Executive and submitted to the
                  Company; provided, however, that any such amounts which are
                  not fully vested at the time the Eligible Executive agrees to
                  forego such Compensation shall be so included at the time they
                  become fully vested and shall be valued in such case as of the
                  date the Agreement to Forego Compensation is completed by the
                  Eligible Executive and submitted to the Company.

                  An Eligible Executive's election to participate in the EELIP
                  shall be irrevocable when the Eligible Executive completes an
                  Agreement to Forego Compensation and submits it to the
                  Company.

4.       GENERAL DESCRIPTION

         The Company shall fund a trust created by the Participant, in an amount
         equal to approximately one hundred and fifty percent (150%), or such
         other amount as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, of
         the value of the Compensation foregone by a Participant as provided in
         the Agreement to Forego Compensation. The terms of the funding shall be
         documented by a Promissory Note to be executed by the Company and the
         trust. The Promissory Note will provide as follows:

         a.       The interest rate shall be the long term Applicable Federal
                  Rate ("AFR") required pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code in
                  effect at the time of funding to avoid below market treatment
                  under section 7872 of the Internal Revenue Code, or such other
                  rate as determined by the EELIP Administrator.

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         b.       The proceeds must be used to pay a premium on a life insurance
                  policy on the life of the Participant (or a Survivorship
                  policy on the life of the Participant and the Participant's
                  spouse) and no part of the proceeds shall be used for any
                  other purpose.

         c.       The Promissory Note is due and payable within 90 days
                  following the death of the insured(s) under the policy.

         d.       The Policy will be owned solely by the trust created by the
                  Participant and the trust must be designated as beneficiary to
                  receive the Policy death benefit or any benefit paid at Policy
                  maturity, and no person or entity will have any interest in
                  the Policy.

         e.       The entire principal sum and accrued interest under the
                  Promissory Note shall become immediately due and payable if:
                  (i) the trust fails to pay the Policy premium within the time
                  allowed under the Promissory Note; (ii) the trust attempts to
                  transfer all or any part of its interest in the Policy to any
                  party other than a successor trustee; (iii) the trust
                  surrenders the Policy in whole or in part, or borrows from,
                  withdraws cash value from, or otherwise pledges or encumbers
                  the Policy; (iv) the trust reduces the face amount of the
                  Policy without the consent of the Company, but only if the
                  face amount reduction results in a distribution of Policy cash
                  values; or (v) the Participant terminates employment with the
                  Company before any applicable vesting date, unless: (A) such
                  termination of employment occurs as a result of the
                  Participant's death; (B) such termination of employment occurs
                  as a result of the Participant's total disability; (C) such
                  termination of employment occurs as a result of or following a
                  Change of Control; (D) such termination of employment occurs
                  as a result of the Participant's retirement under any
                  retirement plan of the Company or a subsidiary (as such term
                  is defined in Section 5.4(a) of the H. J. Heinz Company
                  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from time to
                  time) of the Company; or (E) such termination of employment
                  constitutes an involuntary termination of employment without
                  cause. For purposes of subparagraph (B) above, "total
                  disability" shall be determined as defined in the Company's
                  Long-Term Disability Plan, and the determination of the
                  existence of "total disability" shall be made by the
                  Committee, and such determination by the Committee shall be
                  final. For purposes of subparagraph (D) above, the
                  determination of the existence

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                  of "retirement" shall be made by the Committee and such
                  determination by the Committee shall be final. For purposes of
                  subparagraph (E) above, "cause" shall mean an act of
                  dishonesty, moral turpitude or an intentional or grossly
                  negligent act detrimental to the best interests of the Company
                  or a subsidiary (as such term is defined in Section 5.4(a) of
                  the H. J. Heinz Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan,
                  as amended from time to time) of the Company.

         f.       Such other provisions as shall be determined by the EELIP
                  Administrator.

5.       EELIP ADMINISTRATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         5.01     EELIP ADMINISTRATION. The EELIP shall be administered by the
                  EELIP Administrator or its designee. The EELIP Administrator
                  shall have the full and exclusive authority to interpret,
                  administer and modify the EELIP (including fact-based
                  determinations), to construe ambiguities and to decide all
                  matters under the EELIP in its sole discretion. Such
                  interpretation and decision by the EELIP Administrator (or its
                  designee) with respect to any question arising out of or in
                  connection with the administration, interpretation and
                  application of the EELIP shall be final, conclusive and
                  binding on all Participants and any person claiming under or
                  through any Participant. The EELIP Administrator shall have
                  full discretionary authority to make any and all rules,
                  regulations and determinations, whether or not specifically
                  authorized herein, as it deems necessary or appropriate to
                  carry out its responsibilities under the EELIP as well as the
                  purposes for which it was established. In the administration
                  of the EELIP, the EELIP Administrator from time to time may
                  employ agents and delegate to them or to others (including
                  Eligible Executives) such administrative duties as it sees
                  fit. The EELIP Administrator from time to time may consult
                  with counsel, who may be counsel to the Company. The Company
                  shall indemnify and hold harmless the EELIP Administrator and
                  any Eligible Executives to whom administrative duties under
                  the EELIP are delegated, against any and all claims, loss,
                  damage, expense or liability arising from any action or
                  failure to act with respect to the EELIP, except in the case
                  of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the EELIP
                  Administrator.

         5.02     EELIP AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Committee may amend,
                  modify or terminate the EELIP at any time, but any such
                  amendment,

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                  modification or termination will not affect the rights of any
                  Participant, under any Agreement to Forego Compensation or
                  Promissory Note entered into with the Company prior to the
                  date of such amendment, modification or termination without
                  the Participant's written consent.

         5.03     SUCCESSORS. The terms and conditions of the EELIP shall inure
                  to the benefit of and bind the Company, the Participant and
                  the trust, as well as their successors, assignees and
                  representatives. The Company shall have the right to
                  absolutely and irrevocably assign its rights, title and
                  interest in a Promissory Note without the consent of the
                  Participant or trust (or permissible assignee).

6.       CLAIMS PROCEDURE

                  The EELIP Administrator shall establish a claims procedure
                  that is designed to provide adequate notice in writing to any
                  Participant or beneficiary whose claim for benefits under the
                  EELIP has been denied, setting forth the specific reasons for
                  such denial and written in a manner calculated to be
                  understood by the Participant, and such procedure shall afford
                  a reasonable opportunity to any Participant whose claim for
                  benefits has been denied to have a full and fair review of the
                  decision denying the claim.

7.       GOVERNING LAWS AND NOTICES

         7.01     GOVERNING LAW. The EELIP shall be governed by and construed in
                  accordance with the substantive law of the Commonwealth of
                  Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the choice of law rules
                  of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         7.02     NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and sent by
                  first class mail with postage prepaid. Any notice to the
                  Company shall be addressed to the attention of either the Vice
                  President - Human Resources or General Counsel at the
                  principal office of the Company at 600 Grant Street,
                  Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Any notice to the Participant shall be
                  addressed to the Participant at the last known address on file
                  with the Company. Any party may change its address by giving
                  written notice of such change to the other party pursuant to
                  this Section.

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8.       MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         8.01     NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. This EELIP, and any Agreement to
                  Forego Compensation or Promissory Note executed hereunder,
                  shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment
                  between an Eligible Executive and the Company, or a
                  Participant and the Company, nor shall any provision restrict
                  the right of the Company to discharge an Eligible Executive or
                  Participant, or restrict the right of an Eligible Executive or
                  Participant to terminate employment with the Company.

         8.02     GENDER. The masculine pronoun includes the feminine and the
                  singular includes the plural where appropriate for valid
                  construction.

         8.03     COOPERATION WITH INSURER. In order to be eligible to
                  participate in the EELIP, the Participant (and, in the case of
                  a Survivorship Policy, the Participant's spouse) shall
                  cooperate with the Insurer by furnishing any and all
                  information requested by the Insurer in order to facilitate
                  the issuance of the policy, including furnishing such medical
                  information and taking such physical examinations as the
                  Insurer may deem necessary. In the absence of such
                  cooperation, the Company shall have no further obligation to
                  the Participant to allow him or her to participate in the
                  EELIP.

         8.04     INCONSISTENT TERMS. In the event of any inconsistency between
                  the terms of the EELIP as described herein and the terms of
                  any Policy purchased hereunder or any related Agreement to
                  Forego Compensation or Promissory Note, the terms of such
                  Policy or Agreement to Forego Compensation or Promissory Note
                  shall be controlling as to that Participant or his or her
                  trust.

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                                                              Exhibit 10(a)(xvi)

                               H. J. HEINZ COMPANY
                        RESTRICTED STOCK RECOGNITION PLAN
                            FOR SALARIED EMPLOYEES *

1.    NAME
      ----

      H. J. Heinz Company Restricted Stock Recognition Plan for Salaried
      Employees.

2.    PURPOSES
      --------

      The purpose of the Plan is to give the Company an additional way to
      provide recognition and reward to employees who have a history of
      outstanding accomplishment and who, because of their experience and
      skills, are expected to continue to contribute significantly to the
      success of the Company.

3.    DEFINITIONS
      -----------

      The terms defined in this Section 3 shall, for all purposes of this Plan,
      have the meanings herein specified:

      "Board of Directors" shall mean, the Board of Directors of H. J. Heinz
      Company or the Executive Committee of the Board.

      "Chief Executive Officer" shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of H.
      J. Heinz Company.

      "Common Stock" shall mean the authorized Common Stock of H. J. Heinz
      Company.

      "Company" shall mean H. J. Heinz Company including any division,
      subsidiary or affiliated company or any division, subsidiary or affiliated
      company of any such subsidiary or affiliated company that shall be
      authorized to participate in the Plan by the Chief Executive Officer.

      "Employee" or "Employees" shall mean a full-time salaried employee who is
      not participating in the Company's Management Incentive Plan or who has
      not been awarded an option to purchase the Company's Common Stock and who
      resides in a country where such an award is not prohibited.

      "Plan" shall mean the H. J. Heinz Company Restricted Stock Recognition
      Plan for Salaried Employees.

      "Plan Year" shall mean the twelve-month period beginning each May 1 and
      ending each April 30.

----------
* as amended through July 13, 1988

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4.    EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION
      ------------------------------

      The effective date of the Plan is May 1, 1987. Thereafter, the Plan will
      continue indefinitely until and unless terminated by the Board of
      Directors.

5.    ADMINISTRATION
      --------------

      The Plan shall be administered by the Chief Executive Officer of the H.
      J. Heinz Company.  The criteria for decisions as to the Employees to
      whom stock shall be awarded under the Plan shall be determined from
      time to time by the Chief Executive Officer.

6.    ELIGIBILITY
      -----------

      Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Chief Executive Officer upon
      the recommendation of the president or managing director of the
      participating Company with the concurrence of the appropriate Senior Vice
      President of the Company, shall determine from time to time those
      Employees of the Company to whom Common Stock is to be awarded and the
      number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded to any individual. In
      recommending the eligibility of an Employee to receive an award, as well
      as the number of shares to be awarded to any Employee, each president or
      managing director of a participating Company shall consider the position
      and responsibilities of the Employee being considered, the nature and
      value to the Company of his services and accomplishments, his present and
      potential contribution to the success of the Company and such other
      factors as the Chief Executive Officer may deem relevant. The decision of
      the Chief Executive Officer with respect to such awards shall be final and
      binding upon all persons.

7.    NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE AWARDED UNDER PLAN IN EACH PLAN YEAR
      -----------------------------------------------------------

      The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that the Chief Executive
      Officer may grant under the Plan in each Plan Year, subject to adjustment
      in accordance with Section 11, will be established annually by the
      Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that
      such number of shares shall not exceed in any Plan Year 1% of all then
      outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Common Stock to be offered under
      the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares or issued shares
      reacquired by the Company and presently or hereafter held as treasury
      shares.

      Normally, no more than 100 shares may be awarded to any individual in any
      Plan Year but exceptions may be made by the Chief Executive Officer in
      special circumstances. The Chief Executive Officer is under no obligation
      to make any awards, or, if awards are made, to award the maximum amount
      permitted under the Plan each Plan Year.

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8.    AWARDS
      ------

      Awards shall be made in the form of the issuance of shares in the name of
      the recipient (or at the recipient's request, in the name of the recipient
      and the recipient's spouse in joint tenancy), without the recipient being
      obligated to make any payment to the Company other than as necessary to
      satisfy the Company-withholding tax obligations, if any.

      Certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the recipient only if
      the shares are issued without the restrictions referred to in Section 9
      hereof or upon the lapse of such restrictions. All shares issued pursuant
      to the Plan shall bear an appropriate legend referring to such
      restrictions and to this Plan.

9.    RESTRICTIONS
      ------------

      Until 36 months after the date of grant of the shares, such shares shall
      be non-transferable and shall be forfeited to the Company in the event of
      the termination of the employment of the recipient of such shares during
      such period for any reason (including, but not limited to, discharge)
      other than death, permanent and total disability (as determined under the
      standards of the Employees' Retirement System of H. J. Heinz Company as
      then in effect), or retirement at or after the recipient's Normal
      Retirement Date (as determined under the standards of the Employees'
      Retirement System of H. J. Heinz Company as then in effect); provided that
      such forfeiture may be waived by a statement in writing referring to this
      Plan and specifically agreeing to such a waiver, signed on behalf of the
      H. J. Heinz Company by its Chief Executive Officer. During the period of
      restriction as to transferability and/or provision as to forfeitability,
      Employees who were awarded shares shall receive dividends and have voting
      and other shareholders' rights as to such shares.

10.   INTERPRETATION, AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
      ------------------------------------------

      The Chief Executive Officer may establish such rules, regulations and
      procedures for the administration of the Plan, as he deems appropriate. In
      the event of any dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation of the
      Plan or of any rule, regulation or procedure, or as to any question, right
      or obligation arising from or related to the Plan, the decision of the
      Chief Executive Officer shall be final and binding upon all persons.

      The Board of Directors may amend the Plan, as it shall deem advisable. The
      Board of Directors may, in its discretion, terminate the Plan at any time.
      Termination of the Plan shall not affect the rights of Employees who have
      been granted awards but who have not yet received their Common Stock
      certificates.

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11.   ADJUSTMENTS
      -----------

      The maximum number of shares that may be awarded under the Plan in any
      Plan Year to any individual, and in the aggregate, shall be appropriately
      adjusted to take account of any stock dividend, stock split,
      recapitalization or similar event.

12.   NOTICES
      -------

      All notices under the Plan shall be in writing, and if to the Company,
      shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Company or mailed to its
      principal office, 60th Floor, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
      15219, addressed to the attention of the Secretary; and if to the Employee
      receiving an award of Common Stock, shall be delivered personally or
      mailed to such Employee at the address appearing in the payroll records of
      the Company. Such addresses may be changed at any time by written notice
      to the other party.

13.   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
      ------------------------

      a.    The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
            the local laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

      b.    The Plan is not intended to qualify as an exempt plan under Section
            401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

      c.    Neither the Plan nor any action there under shall be construed to
            give any Employee the right to be retained in the service of the
            Company or to interfere with the right of the Company to discharge
            such Employee at any time.

      d.    The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the
            Company.

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