UK and Ireland staff at Heinz face an uncertain future after the food giant announced a strategic review that could affect 2,000 workers.
The company yesterday said that the plans affected five plants in the UK and Ireland employing 2,000 workers, while the future of a further 11 sites in Europe with another 7,000 workers remained unclear.
A spokesman said the review, expected to be completed by the end of the year, could result in the plants being sold, retained or reorganised. The company expects to save between $75m (£40m) and $100m.
Heinz has just finished a three-year restructuring plan in the US which has resulted in improved sales, but chairman William Johnson said performance in Europe was below par.
