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EXHIBIT 12
H. J. HEINZ COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<Table>
<Caption>
First Quarter
Ended Fiscal Years Ended
------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
May 2, May 3, April 28, April 29, April 30,
August 1, 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
2001 (52 Weeks) (53 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks)
------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense*.......................... $ 78,215 $ 335,531 $ 271,597 $ 260,743 $ 260,401 $ 277,818
Capitalized interest....................... 479 8,396 -- -- 1,542 2,688
Interest component of rental expense....... 6,153 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed charges...................... $ 84,847 $ 372,023 $ 303,871 $ 290,669 $ 292,771 $ 307,888
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings:
Income before income taxes................. $312,207 $ 673,058 $1,463,676 $ 835,131 $1,254,981 $ 479,064
Add: Interest expense*..................... 78,215 335,531 271,597 260,743 260,401 277,818
Add: Interest component of rental
expense.................................. 6,153 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382
Add: Amortization of capitalized
interest................................. 531 2,129 2,799 3,050 3,525 3,454
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings as adjusted..................... $397,106 $1,038,814 $1,770,346 $1,128,850 $1,549,735 $ 787,718
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......... 4.68 2.79 5.83 3.88 5.29 2.56
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</Table>
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* Interest expense includes amortization of debt expense and any discount or
premium relating to indebtedness.