PRIVATE SELECTION ROAST BEEF RECALLED FROM SOME KROGER-OWNED STORES

CINCINNATI, OH, January 27, 2004 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced a voluntary recall of Private Selection Roast Beef from some Kroger-owned supermarkets. The recall was initiated after a sample taken from a Kroger deli service counter in Atlanta by the Georgia Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The Private Selection Roast Beef being recalled was distributed through the deli service counters at Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana and Texas. The recall also includes Dillon Stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Gerbes Stores in Missouri; Hilander stores in Illinois; Kessel stores in Michigan; and Owen’s and Pay Less stores in Indiana.

The product is being removed from store shelves immediately. Kroger has not received any customer complaints of illness related to the roast beef.

Customers who purchased this product during January 2004 and who have this product in their refrigerators should return it to the store for a full refund. The roast beef should not be consumed. Customers who have questions may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900.

Private Selection Angus Roast Beef and Private Selection Cajun Roast Beef are not affected by this recall.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause short-term symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The infection may be more serious or even fatal among young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger (NSYE: KR) is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,530 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly, through its subsidiaries or franchise agreements) 798 convenience stores, 445 fine jewelry stores, 442 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. The Company contributed $106 million to local communities and non-profit organizations in 2002. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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