KROGER ASKS CUSTOMERS TO CHECK THEIR FREEZERS FOR RECALLED BEEF

CINCINNATI, OH, July 25, 2002 - The Kroger Co. today said it is continuing to accept ground beef products that are being returned to stores as part of a voluntary recall launched late last week by the ConAgra Beef Co.

Kroger has been notified that ConAgra's recall includes beef trimmings purchased by one of the Company's secondary meat suppliers that were processed into various ground beef products and shipped to Kroger. None of these products are currently available for purchase in stores. While none of these products have tested positive for E.coli, and there have been no E. coli illnesses associated with any of these products, Kroger nevertheless is voluntarily taking extra precautionary steps to protect customers.

Kroger is asking customers in 18 states to check their freezers for certain fresh ground beef products and return them to stores for a full refund or replacement. Customers should check for Kroger-brand fresh ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin and ground round purchased in one-, three- and five-pound tubes with sell-by dates of May 9, 2002 through July 17, 2002, USDA EST #410 or #18076 (identifies the meat plant where the product was processed) from Kroger stores in the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Since Kroger operates under multiple banners, this request also includes customers of Dillon stores in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri; Baker's stores in Nebraska; Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel Food Markets in Michigan; Gerbes stores in Missouri; and Hilander stores in Illinois.

Kroger customers in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina are asked to check their freezers for Kroger-brand fresh ground chuck purchased in five-pound tubes with sell-by dates of June 21, 2002 and June 23, 2002 (USDA EST #410) and fresh ground beef in five-pound tubes with sell-by dates of June 11, 2002 and June 30, 2002 (USDA EST#410). These products should be returned to stores for a full refund or replacement.

In addition, Kroger is asking customers to check their freezers for all fresh ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin or ground round (packaged in foam trays and wrapped in plastic film) with sell-by dates of April 22, 2002 through July 20, 2002 that was purchased from Kroger stores in the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The recall also includes Dillon stores in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri; Pay Less, Jay C and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel Food Markets in Michigan; Gerbes stores in Missouri; Hilander stores in Illinois and Baker's stores in Nebraska. In all cases, these products should be returned to stores for a full refund or replacement.

In an effort to communicate as thoroughly as possible with customers, these stores will be placing signs with specific information in their meat departments.

Consumers who have questions about the recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900 or the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service at (866) 849-7438.

Consumers are reminded that proper handling, storage and cooking of ground beef offers the best protection against food-borne illness. According to the USDA, when ground beef is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees, any harmful bacteria are destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company (either directly or through its subsidiaries) operated 2,429 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillon, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operates (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 780 convenience stores, 436 fine jewelry stores, 268 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. Last year, Kroger contributed $129 million to support education, hunger relief and local non-profit organizations in the communities where the Company operates stores or manufacturing facilities. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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