Natchix/Astral - Competition Commission ruling and cautionary announcement

National Chick Limited
(Registration number 1980/008743/06)
(Share code: NCX, ISIN: ZAE000010591)
("Natchix")
Astral Foods Limited
(Registration number 1978/003194/06)
(Share code: ARL, ISIN: ZAE000029757)
("Astral")

Competition Commission ruling and cautionary announcement

Further to the announcement of 5 October 2001, Natchix and Astral

shareholders are advised that the Competition Commission has not approved
the acquisition by Astral of all of the shares in Natchix it does not
already own.

Astral is considering various courses of action in relation to the

transaction, and shareholders will be advised as soon as possible of the
implications of the Competition Commission's decision. Accordingly,

shareholders are advised to exercise caution when dealing in their

respective shares until a further announcement is made.
Umlaas Road
7 December 2001
Adviser and transactional sponsor
to Astral
Rand Merchant Bank
Corporate Finance
A Division of FirstRand Bank Limited
Independent adviser
to Natchix
BOE
Merchant Bank
A Division of BOE Bank Limited
Co. Reg. No 1995/000847/06
Sponsor to Astral
ING Barings
Sponsor to Natchix
BOE Securities (Pty) Ltd

Member of the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa
Co. Reg. No. 1995/012240/07