Disposal

Unilever PLC
23 April 2002

Release: Immediate



           UNILEVER SELLS MAZOLA AND OTHER NORTH AMERICAN FOOD BRANDS
                                   
               TO ACH FOOD COMPANIES, Inc. FOR €406 MILLION

Unilever today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell 19
food brands sold across North America to ACH Food Companies, Inc., of Memphis,
Tennessee, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc. Unilever will receive
€406 million (US$360m) in cash in a transaction expected to be completed in the
third quarter of 2002, subject to regulatory approvals and certain other
conditions.

The brands and related assets, acquired by Unilever in connection with the
October 2000 acquisition of Bestfoods, had combined sales of €350 million
(US$310m) in 2001. The major brands include Mazola cooking oil products, Argo
and Kingsford's corn starches, Karo and Golden Griddle syrups and Henri's salad
dressing sold in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Additional Canadian
brands include Benson's and Canada corn starches, St. Lawrence/St. Laurent corn
oil, Crown and Bee Hive corn syrups, Old Colony maple syrup and Old Tyme pancake
syrup.

Unilever is selling the brands as part of its Path to Growth strategy, which
includes a focus on a smaller number of brands in clearly defined categories.

The deal also includes a manufacturing facility in Argo, Illinois. In total,
approximately 200 employees will be transferred to ACH Food Companies.

Patrick Cescau, Unilever's Foods Director, said, 'These brands simply fall
outside of our brand focus. Our foods portfolio in North America, which includes
Lipton, Hellmann's, Slim•Fast and Ben & Jerry's, is well-positioned to achieve
superior growth performance in the future.'

Goldman, Sachs & Co. advised Unilever on the sale.

                                     -o0o-

Safe Harbour Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: This press release contains certain 'forward-looking' statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management's current expectations and are naturally
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary
materially from the expectations contained herein. The forward-looking
statements contained herein include statements about future financial and
operating results and benefits of the pending disposal of the 19 food brands by
Unilever.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described herein include: the inability to obtain or delay in obtaining
necessary antitrust approvals; actions of the U.S., Canadian and local
governments; the performance of the businesses of these 19 food brands during
the pre-closing period; costs related to the disposal; the economic and
financial market environment of the food and consumer product manufacturing
industry and the general economic environment. More detailed information about
these factors is set forth in the reports furnished by Unilever with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Neither Unilever nor ACH Food Companies is under any obligation to (and
expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                                     -o0o-

April 23 2002

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