EXHIBIT 12

HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(in thousands of dollars except for ratios)
(Unaudited)

For the Nine Months Ended

October 1,
     2000     

October 3,
     1999     

Earnings:

Income before income taxes

$   357,741

$   567,207

(a)

Add (deduct):

   Interest on indebtedness

      59,953

     58,034

   Portion of rents representative of the
     Interest factor (b)

       9,630

     8,344

   Amortization of debt expense

         367

        364

   Amortization of capitalized interest

       3,178

      2,825

          Earnings as adjusted

$   430,869

$  636,774

Fixed Charges:

   Interest on indebtedness

$    59,953

$   58,034

   Portion of rents representative of the
    Interest factor (b)

      9,630

     8,344

   Amortization of debt expense

        367

       364

   Capitalized interest

         20

     1,214

       Total fixed charges

$   69,970

$   67,956

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

      6.16

       9.37

NOTE:

(a)

Includes a gain of $243.8 million on the sale of the Corporation's pasta business.

(b)

Portion of rents representative of the interest factor consists of one-third of rental expense for operating leases.