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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 3, April 28, April 29, April 30, May 1,
November 1, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
2000 (53 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense*.......... $163,939 $ 271,597 $ 260,743 $ 260,401 $ 277,818 $ 279,368
Capitalized interest....... 4,633 -- -- 1,542 2,688 1,007
Interest component of
rental expense........... 14,306 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382 26,728
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total fixed charges...... $182,878 $ 303,871 $ 290,669 $ 292,771 $ 307,888 $ 307,103
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings:
Income before income
taxes.................... $598,511 $1,463,676 $ 835,131 $1,254,981 $ 479,064 $1,023,661
Add: Interest expense*..... 163,939 271,597 260,743 260,401 277,818 279,368
Add: Interest component of
rental expense........... 14,306 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382 26,728
Add: Amortization of
capitalized interest..... 1,312 2,799 3,050 3,525 3,454 3,399
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Earnings as adjusted..... $778,068 $1,770,346 $1,128,850 $1,549,735 $ 787,718 $1,333,156
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges.................. 4.25 5.83 3.88 5.29 2.56 4.34
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* Interest expense includes amortization of debt expense and any discount or
premium relating to indebtedness.
