HORMEL FOODS CORP /DE/

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on the current assumptions and expectations of Hormel Foods Corporation (the “Company”). These statements are typically accompanied by the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "project," "seek," "target," "will," "would," or similar words or expressions. The principal forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the pending acquisition of Brakebush and the anticipated benefits of, and the Company’s plans, strategies, and objectives relating to, such acquisition.

All such forward-looking statements are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Although the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements, actual events or results could be materially different. The most important factors that could cause actual future results or events to differ from its forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to completing the acquisition in the anticipated timeframe, or at all; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, charges, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, and strategies resulting from the acquisition or otherwise could adversely impact the value or expected benefit of the acquisition; the expected financial and operating performance and future opportunities following the acquisition; risks relating to the receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions and possibility of regulatory action; the risks and costs of the pursuit and/or implementation of the acquisition; risks related to the Company’s access to available financing to consummate the acquisition upon acceptable terms and on a timely basis or at all; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the acquisition on the Company’s or Brakebush’s business relationships, competition, business, financial condition, and operating results, including risks that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or Brakebush, the ability of the Company or Brakebush to retain and hire key personnel, and risks related to diverting either management team’s attention from ongoing business operations; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brakebush’s operations and implement its plans, forecasts, and other expectations with respect to Brakebush’s business or the combined business after the closing of the acquisition; the ability of the Company to manage any additional debt and successfully de-lever following the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or Brakebush related to the acquisition; and the other risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be accessed at hormelfoods.com in the "Investors" section. Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company cautions that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company's business or results of operations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as otherwise required by law.