Packaging

ConAgra Foods Statement on Incident at Its Garner, N.C., Facility

Thursday 11. June 2009 - ConAgra Foods has confirmed that two employees were found deceased inside the company's plant in Garner, N.C., where an explosion occurred around 11:30 a.m., local time today. Local authorities are working to notify next of kin before releasing the names of these individuals. We continue to help authorities search for the other missing employee.

“No words can express how saddened we are by these events today,” said Gary Rodkin, CEO of ConAgra Foods. “All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. ConAgra Foods will provide our people with all of the support they need, and we will continue to work with local authorities to identify the cause of this accident. We are deeply grateful for the work of our local team and the emergency and public safety officials in attending to our employees.”

The company is setting up a fund for contributions from ConAgra Foods employees and the local community, and we will continue to provide employee assistance counselors for our employees and their families.

About 280 workers were at the plant today. The facility, located at 4851 Jones Sausage Rd., is approximately 500,000 square feet and produces Slim Jim products. ConAgra Foods acquired the facility in 1998.

ConAgra Foods will provide further information as it becomes available.