EXHIBIT 12

                      H. J. HEINZ COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

               COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                      Fiscal Years Ended
                                --------------------------------------------------------------
                                  May 1,       May 2,       May 3,     April 28,    April 29,
                                   2002         2001         2000         1999         1998
                                (52 Weeks)   (52 Weeks)   (53 Weeks)   (52 Weeks)   (52 Weeks)
                                ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                                     
Fixed Charges:
  Interest expense*...........  $  297,315   $  335,531   $  271,597   $  260,743   $  260,401
  Capitalized interest........          48        8,396           --           --        1,542
  Interest component of rental
     expense..................      32,315       28,096       32,274       29,926       30,828
                                ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Total fixed charges......  $  329,678   $  372,023   $  303,871   $  290,669   $  292,771
                                ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Earnings:
  Income before income taxes..  $1,278,590   $  673,058   $1,463,676   $  835,131   $1,254,981
  Add: Interest expense*......     297,315      335,531      271,597      260,743      260,401
  Add: Interest component of
     rental expense...........      32,315       28,096       32,274       29,926       30,828
  Add: Amortization of
     capitalized interest.....       1,862        2,129        2,799        3,050        3,525
                                ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Earnings as adjusted.....  $1,610,082   $1,038,814   $1,770,346   $1,128,850   $1,549,735
                                ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Ratio of earnings to fixed
     charges..................        4.88         2.79         5.83         3.88         5.29
                                ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========
</Table>

* Interest expense includes amortization of debt expense and any discount or
  premium relating to indebtedness.