EXHIBIT 23
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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 of our report dated November 2, 1999 relating to the financial
statements which appear on page 23 of the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders of
Ralston Purina Company, which is incorporated by reference in Ralston Purina
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999, and
of our report dated June 7, 2000 included in the Ralston Purina Company Savings
Investment Plan's Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Interests of Named
Experts and Counsel" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
July 26, 2000
