Intention to sell Frigedoc

Unilever PLC
09 January 2003

Release: Immediate

                             UNILEVER PLANS SALE OF

                         FRENCH HOME-VENDING OPERATION

Unilever announced today its intention to sell to Toupargel its Frigedoc
business in order to focus its French ice cream and frozen foods business behind
its leading brands. The transaction is expected to amount to €80 million but
requires the approval of the French competition authorities and the consultation
of various company works councils.

Under its brand name 'Agrigel', Frigedoc is France's leading mobile home-vending
business, selling frozen products directly to consumers in their homes. It had a
turnover of €242 million in 2002. Its merging with Toupargel, also a specialist
in home-vending for fresh and frozen products, would make the combined business
the clear leader in the home-vending sector of food products.

The sale would enable Agrigel to continue its development in an organisation
where home-vending of frozen products is a core part of business strategy.

The proposed sale by Unilever is in line with its Path to Growth strategy
designed to accelerate top-line growth and increase operating margins by
focusing on a smaller number of larger brands in clearly defined categories.

                                     -o0o-

January 9 2003


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