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EXHIBIT 12
H. J. HEINZ COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Years Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------
May 3, April 28, April 29, April 30, May 1,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
(53 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks) (52 Weeks)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense*............ $ 271,597 $ 260,743 $ 260,401 $277,818 $ 279,368
Capitalized interest......... -- -- 1,542 2,688 1,007
Interest component of rental
expense................... 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382 26,728
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
Total fixed charges....... $ 303,871 $ 290,669 $ 292,771 $307,888 $ 307,103
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
Earnings:
Income before income taxes... $1,463,676 $ 835,131 $1,254,981 $479,064 $1,023,661
Add: Interest expense*....... 271,597 260,743 260,401 277,818 279,368
Add: Interest component of
rental expense............ 32,274 29,926 30,828 27,382 26,728
Add: Amortization of
capitalized interest...... 2,799 3,050 3,525 3,454 3,399
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
Earnings as adjusted...... $1,770,346 $1,128,850 $1,549,735 $787,718 $1,333,156
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges................... 5.83 3.88 5.29 2.56 4.34
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</TABLE>
* Interest expense includes amortization of debt expense and any discount or
premium relating to indebtedness.
