Bush Boake Allen Reports First Quarter Earnings of $.31 a Share.

Business Editors

MONTVALE, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

Bush Boake Allen Inc. (NYSE: BOA) today reported first quarter earnings were $.31 a share (diluted) compared to $.22 a share (diluted) earned in the first quarter of 1999. Net sales for the quarter were $117.3 million compared to $121.4 million in 1999. Net income was $6.0 million for the quarter compared to $4.3 million in the prior year.

For the Company, as a whole, flavor and fragrance sales declined less than 1% as market weakness in Europe could not be overcome by growth in the other worldwide regions. Aroma chemical sales decreased 14%, however, lower material costs and operating efficiencies more than offset the decreased volume and prices resulting in the improved income from operations for the Company.

In our aroma chemical business, prices are down from the prior year due to continued market pressure on terpene-based products, the strength of the Pound Sterling versus the Euro, and increased volumes of Chinese materials becoming available both for domestic use and for exports. Volumes dipped slightly from 1999 due to some Y2K buying and subsequent inventory reductions. Operating income, however, benefited from major manufacturing cost efficiency gains generated from improved yield and higher throughput as both chemical plants ran near capacity with some rebuilding of key products that were diminished as a result of Y2K demands at the end of last year.

In our flavor and fragrance business, Europe Region sales declined 12% with only the UK flavor business reporting growth. Pricing in continental Europe has been severely affected by the strong Pound Sterling. Measures are being taken to improve customer service and reduce the cost structure in our UK savory flavor operations to be able to compete more effectively during these challenging times. In the Company's International Region, sales increased 9% with strong growth reported in Eastern Europe and India.

Operations in the Asia Pacific Region had a 2% increase in sales, but a double-digit increase in operating income. Good growth was reported in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

In the Americas Region, sales rose 3% as strong growth in U.S. flavors was offset by slow fragrance sales to start the year. Canadian operations reported strong growth in sales and operating income while sales in Latin America advanced 13%, and operating income was level with last year.

Summing up the quarter Mr. Julian W. Boyden, Bush Boake Allen's chairman, president and chief executive officer stated, "although sales levels are disappointing, it is encouraging to see the vast improvement in operating income as the Company benefits from the major capital investments made over the last several years."

Bush Boake Allen Inc., which conducts operations on six continents, has 60 locations in 38 countries worldwide. The company supplies flavors and fragrances to the world's leading consumer products companies for use in foods, beverages, soaps and detergents, cosmetics, toiletries, personal care items and related products. Its aroma chemicals, natural extracts and essential oils serve as raw materials for a wide range of compounded flavors and fragrances.

Statements in this press release, which are not historical, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to Bush Boake Allen's business include general economic conditions, customers changing flavor and/or fragrance formulations, pricing, availability and capacity of both materials which are purchased and products which are sold, the effect of the transition to the Euro and political and economic uncertainties, currency fluctuations, devaluations and/or revaluations in the many countries in which the company operates. The company assumes no duty to update any such forward-looking information.

                         BUSH BOAKE ALLEN INC.
               Comparative Summary of Income (Unaudited)

                             First Quarter Ended March 25,   Percent
                                   2000          1999        Change
                              ------------    ----------     -------
                                               (Note 1)

Net Sales                     $117,341,000  $121,370,000     (3.3%)

Income from operations          10,901,000     8,931,000      22.1

Income before taxes              9,712,000     6,754,000      43.8

Net income                      $6,021,000    $4,335,000      38.9

Earnings per share:
              - Basic                $0.31        $0.22       40.9
              - Diluted              $0.31        $0.22       40.9

Weighted average
 shares outstanding:
              - Basic           19,306,998    19,290,368
              - Diluted         19,392,488    19,408,090

Note 1. During the first quarter of 2000, the Company changed its

method of accounting for its domestic aroma chemicals inventories

from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in,

first-out (FIFO) method. As required by generally accepted

accounting principles, the Company has retroactively adjusted

prior year financial statements for the change. The change in

accounting had no material effect on net income for the quarter

ended March 25, 2000 and decreased net income by approximately

$200,000 ($.01 per share) in the first quarter of 1999.