EXHIBIT 12
H. J. HEINZ COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<Table>
<Caption>
Nine Months
Ended Fiscal Years Ended
----------- --------------------------------------------------------------
May 2, May 3, April 28, April 29, April 30,
January 30, 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
2002 (52 Weeks) (53 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense*........................... $ 225,066 $ 335,531 $ 271,597 $ 260,743 $ 260,401 $ 277,818
Capitalized interest........................ -- 8,396 -- -- 1,542 2,688
Interest component of rental expense........ 18,964 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed charges....................... $ 244,030 $ 372,023 $ 303,871 $ 290,669 $ 292,771 $ 307,888
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings:
Income before income taxes.................. $ 942,854 $ 673,058 $1,463,676 $ 835,131 $1,254,981 $ 479,064
Add: Interest expense*...................... 225,066 335,531 271,597 260,743 260,401 277,818
Add: Interest component of rental expense... 18,964 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382
Add: Amortization of capitalized interest... 1,128 2,129 2,799 3,050 3,525 3,454
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings as adjusted...................... $1,188,012 $1,038,814 $1,770,346 $1,128,850 $1,549,735 $ 787,718
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......... 4.87 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.