Barry Callebaut acquires Nestlé's Italian industrial chocolate activities

Long term agreement to supply Nestlé subsidiaries

Barry Callebaut, the world's leader in industrial specialty chocolate, has
signed an agreement to acquire Nestlé's Italian industrial chocolate
business. Through this acquisition, Barry Callebaut becomes the leader
in the Italian industrial specialty chocolate business, strengthens its
European manufacturing base with a state-of-the-art production site in
Verbania (Italy) and secures a bridgehead to further expand its position
in other Mediterranean markets.

Zurich/Switzerland; October 15, 1999. Barry Callebaut AG, headquartered in
Zurich, Switzerland, announced today the signing of an agreement to acquire
Nestlé's industrial chocolate business and assets in Italy. The parties have
decided not to disclose the price of the transaction, and have at the same
time, signed a long term supply agreement of Barry Callebaut specialty
chocolate to Nestlé subsidiaries, primarily in Europe.

Barry Callebaut, the world's leader in industrial specialty chocolate reported
net sales of CHF2,2 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999. The
business, acquired from Nestlé will, as of March 1, 2000, add annual sales of
CHF 60 million. With this acquisition, Barry Callebaut also achieves market
leadership in industrial specialty chocolate in Italy.

The acquired activity, is currently integrated in Nestlé Italiana and includes a
state-of-the-art production site located in Verbania, some 100 km north of
Milan. Approximately 100 Nestlé Italiana employees will join Barry Callebaut
and the Verbania factory will be integrated into Barry Callebaut's existing
production network. This enables the company to better serve customers in
Italy as well as in the other promising Mediterranean markets.

For further information please contact:

Onno Bleeker, Chief Operating Officer
Phone 003253 73 04 45
Fax 003253 73 05 01