EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 2-96616, 33-677, 2-83297, 33-17875, 33-25396,
33-25674, 33-19911, 333-02033, 333-61073, 333-73205, 333-92141 and 333-42246) of
Ralston Purina Company of our report dated October 26, 2000 relating to the
financial statements, which appears in the 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders,
which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
December 21, 2000
