Sara Lee Receives Binding Offer of EUR1.275 Billion From Unilever for its Global Body Care Business

Company Plans to Use Proceeds to Invest in Core Businesses and Repurchase Stock; Board Authorizes a $1.0 Billion Share Repurchase Program

Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE ) announced today it has received a binding offer of EUR1.275 billion from Unilever to acquire its global body care and European detergents businesses. Where permissible, Sara Lee has agreed to accept the binding offer upon satisfaction of certain conditions. In fiscal 2009, these businesses generated annual sales of approximately EUR750 million ($1.0 billion) and accounted for approximately 55% of the adjusted operating segment income[1] for the International Household and Body Care business. The global body care and European detergents businesses encompass a wide variety of popular brands, including Sanex, Radox and Duschdas.The proposed transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances, is anticipated to close during calendar year 2010.

Sara Lee will consult with relevant works councils during the process. The company has also received significant interest in the remainder of its household business and is continuing to pursue divestiture options for this business, which includes air care, shoe care, insecticides and non-European cleaning brands.

"The divestiture of body care and European detergents would advance our strategy to concentrate on our core food and beverage businesses where we enjoy a strong competitive position and where we can generate superior shareholder returns," said Brenda C. Barnes, chairman and chief executive officer, Sara Lee Corp. "We intend to use proceeds from the divestiture to invest for growth in our core businesses and to repurchase stock."

Barnes added, "Receiving an offer from a leading company like Unilever reflects the high quality talent, strong consumer recognition of our leading brands, and the significant growth potential of these businesses."

The company also announced that its board of directors has authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program. This is in addition to the 13.5 million share authorization (approximately $150 million based on the recent market price) remaining under the prior share repurchase program. The company reiterated that its board intends to maintain the current quarterly dividend of $.11 for the next four quarters, regardless of the timing of dispositions. Sara Lee intends to maintain a credit profile consistent with a strong investment grade credit rating.

Sara Lee's International Household and Body Care business generated approximately EUR1.5 billion ($2.0 billion) in sales in fiscal 2009. The remainder of its household business, which is not included in the proposed transaction, includes the Ambi Pur air care brand, Kiwi shoe care, Ridsect insecticides and White King bleach brands.

    [1] Constitutes a non-GAAP financial measure. See the reconciliation to
        the most comparable U.S. generally accepted accounting principle
        measure at the end of this release.

About Sara Lee Corporation

Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE - News) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate almost $13 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 180 countries. The Sara Lee community consists of 41,000 employees worldwide. Please visit http://www.saralee.com for the latest news and in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.

About Unilever

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. They meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including thirteen EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as Knorr, Wall's, Flora, Dove, Lynx, Persil, Marmite and Pot Noodle. Unilever has around 174,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of EUR42 billion in 2008. More information about Unilever and its brands can be found at http://www.unilever.com.

    International Household and Body Care

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Segment Income Before Depreciation
    and Amortization

    (in millions)
                                               Fiscal 2009

    Operating Segment Income                          $242

    Increase in operating segment income from:
    Depreciation                                        35
    Amortization                                         8
    Significant Items[1]                                10

    Adjusted Operating Segment Income before
    Depreciation and Amortization[2]                  $295


    [1] "Significant items" are income or charges that management believes
        have had a significant impact on the earnings of the segment, are not
        indicative of the segment's core operating results and affect
        comparability from period to period. For fiscal 2009, these items
        included charges for exit activities, asset and business
        dispositions; transformation and Project Accelerate costs; and income
        from benefit plan curtailment gains.

    [2] The term "adjusted operating segment income before depreciation and
        amortization" excludes from operating segment income as reported the
        impact of depreciation, amortization and significant items.


    Contact:

    Media (North America): Jon Harris, +1-630-598-8661
    Media (International): Joost den Haan, +31-30-297-2297
    Analysts: Aaron Hoffman, +1-630-598-8739