For More Information Contact:
                                            Steve Baker, steveb@jdpr.com or
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       Jeff Dezen, jeffd@jdpr.com
MARCH 5, 2002                               JDPR, 864-233-3776



          GARY M. RODKIN TO JOIN UNITED INDUSTRIES' BOARD OF DIRECTORS

       RODKIN'S PROVEN CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS EXPERIENCE A BOON TO UNITED

ST. LOUIS, MO-UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION (UNITED), the leading manufacturer
and marketer of value-oriented products for the consumer lawn and garden care
and insect control markets in the United States (which goes to market as
Spectrum Brands), has elected GARY M. RODKIN, President and Chief Executive
Officer of PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA, a division of PEPSICO, INC. (NYSE: PEP), to
United's Board of Directors.

Bob Caulk, United Chairman and CEO stated, "I am pleased to announce the
election of Gary M. Rodkin to our Board. Gary brings a wealth of experience in
consumer packaged goods marketing, sales and operations. Under his leadership,
Pepsi-Cola North America has become the beverage industry's fastest-growing
total beverage company, developing successful new carbonated and non-carbonated
products, entering new product categories, making strategic acquisitions and
growing share in its core trademarks, including Mountain Dew. Gary's experience
should prove beneficial as United strives to achieve similar goals within the
consumer lawn and garden care and insect control markets."

As President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America, Rodkin is responsible for
concentrate and contract operations of PepsiCo's refreshment beverage division
in the United States and Canada. Its US brands include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi
ONE, Pepsi Twist, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Mug, Slice, Aquafina, SoBe, Dole
single-serve juices and FruitWorks. The company also makes and markets North
America's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via
joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

Rodkin was previously President and CEO of Tropicana Products, Inc., the world's
leading marketer and producer of branded juices. Before joining Tropicana in
1995, he held positions of increasing responsibility at General Mills, including
President of Yoplait-Columbo. Rodkin holds an MBA from Harvard Business School
and a BA from Rutgers University.

PepsiCo is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with annual
revenues of $27 billion. Its principal businesses include Frito-Lay snacks,
Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and juice drinks
and Quaker foods.


                                     -more-



Rodkin fills the Board seat vacated by David C. Pratt, whose resignation was
effective with Rodkin's election. Caulk added, "United was extremely fortunate
to have a director of David's caliber for so many years. We thank him and wish
him well as he continues to pursue his many interest outside the Company."

United is the leading manufacturer and marketer of value-oriented products for
the consumer lawn and garden care and insect control markets in the United
States. The company offers one of the broadest lines in the industry under a
variety of brand names including Spectracide(R), Spectracide Terminate(TM), Hot
Shot(R), Cutter(R), Sta-Green(R), Vigoro(R), Bandini(R), Peters(R), Real
Kill(R), No-Pest(R), and Best(R).

Certain matters discussed in this news release, with the exception of historical
matters, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21G of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 which involves risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements
are based on the Company's current expectations. Actual results may differ
materially from these statements as a result of changes in external competitive
market factors, unanticipated changes in the Company's industry, or the economy
in general, as well as various other factors, including weather patterns. The
Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements made by or on its behalf, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

(Bloomberg Symbol: 14496Z)

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Editor's Note: Photos Available on Request. Please contact Steve Baker at
864-233-3776 ext. 21 or steveb@jdpr.com