HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary P. Coughlan, retired Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Abbott Laboratories, Inc., has been elected to the Hershey Foods (NYSE: HSY) Board of Directors, effective October 3, 2001. In announcing the election, Richard H. Lenny, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Gary is an excellent addition to the Hershey Foods Board of Directors. His rich experience across multiple disciplines and with premiere consumer goods companies will prove invaluable as we move forward with Hershey's growth plans."

In March 2001, Coughlan retired from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. where he was responsible for Treasury, Controllership, Tax, Audit, Corporate Strategy and Development, Investor Relations, Public Affairs, Information Technology, E-Commerce, Administration and Purchasing. Before joining Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Coughlan was employed by Kraft Foods in various financial positions, the last one being Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He received a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College of California, a master's degree from UCLA and a master's of business administration from Wayne State. Coughlan is active in several business and civic groups and serves on the boards of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and General Binding Corporation (GBC).

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation

CONTACT: Judy M. Hogarth, +1-717-534-7631, or Financial: James A. Edris, +1-717-534-7556, both of Hershey Foods/