Bestfoods Schedules Shareholder Meeting to Vote On Merger Agreement With Unilever.

Business Editors

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 16, 2000

Bestfoods has scheduled a special meeting of its shareholders for October 2, 2000, in New Jersey, to vote on the merger agreement under which Bestfoods will be acquired by Unilever. Shareholders will receive $73 in cash for each share of Bestfoods common stock upon completion of the acquisition, which is subject to approval by shareholders of both companies and regulatory clearances.

Earlier today, Unilever announced that special meetings of the shareholders of Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V. have been scheduled for October 2, 2000. Also, Unilever announced that today it has formally filed for antitrust clearance from the European Commission. Unilever and Bestfoods have already filed for antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission in the United States.

NOTE TO SHAREHOLDERS: In connection with the merger, Bestfoods will be filing a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SECURITY HOLDERS OF BESTFOODS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement when it becomes available and other documents filed by Bestfoods and furnished by Unilever with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the merger at the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Security holders of Bestfoods may also obtain for free a copy of the definitive proxy statement when it becomes available and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Bestfoods in connection with the merger by contacting Bestfoods, Investor Relations, [phone]. Security holders of Bestfoods may also obtain for free documents furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Unilever in connection with the merger by contacting Unilever, Investor Relations, 44 207 822 6824.

ABOUT BESTFOODS: Bestfoods, formerly CPC International Inc., is among the largest U.S. food companies, with sales of $8.6 billion in 1999. Best known among Bestfoods' U.S. products are: Hellmann's and Best Foods mayonnaise and dressings; Mazola corn oil and margarine; Skippy peanut butter; Knorr soups, sauces, and bouillons; Entenmann's sweet baked products; Thomas' English muffins; Arnold, Brownberry, Freihofer's, and Oroweat breads; Boboli pizza crusts; Mueller's pasta; and Karo syrup. Bestfoods' global Knorr brand comprises one of the world's most extensive lines of products. Bestfoods is the most international food company based in the U.S., with operations in more than 60 countries and products marketed in 110 countries. For more information about Bestfoods, visit the company's website on the Internet at: http://www.bestfoods.com.