EXHIBIT 12
H. J. HEINZ COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<Table>
<Caption>
Six Months
Ended Fiscal Years Ended
------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
May 1, May 2, May 3, April 28, April 29,
October 30, 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
2002 (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (53 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks)
------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense*.......................... $143,497 $ 297,315 $ 335,531 $ 271,597 $ 260,743 $ 260,401
Capitalized interest....................... -- 48 8,396 -- -- 1,542
Interest component of rental expense....... 16,140 32,315 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed charges...................... $159,637 $ 329,678 $ 372,023 $ 303,871 $ 290,669 $ 292,771
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings:
Income before income taxes................. $594,965 $1,278,590 $ 673,058 $1,463,676 $ 835,131 $1,254,981
Add: Interest expense*..................... 143,497 297,315 335,531 271,597 260,743 260,401
Add: Interest component of rental
expense.................................. 16,140 32,315 28,096 32,274 29,926 30,828
Add: Amortization of capitalized
interest................................. 879 1,862 2,129 2,799 3,050 3,525
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings as adjusted..................... $755,481 $1,610,082 $1,038,814 $1,770,346 $1,128,850 $1,549,735
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......... 4.73 4.88 2.79 5.83 3.88 5.29
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</Table>
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* Interest expense includes amortization of debt expense and any discount or
premium relating to indebtedness.