Exhibit 23.1

                         Independent Auditors' Consent


The Board of Directors
Northfield Laboratories Inc.

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos.
333-15877, 333-51681, 333-79579 and 333-102672) on Form S-8 and the registration
statement (No. 333-106615) on Form S-3 of Northfield Laboratories Inc. of our
report dated July 28, 2003, relating to the balance sheets of Northfield
Laboratories Inc. as of May 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of
operations, shareholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended May 31, 2003 and for the cumulative period from
June 19, 1985 (inception) through May 31, 2003, which report appears in the May
31, 2003 annual report on Form 10-K of Northfield Laboratories Inc. Our report
dated July 28, 2003, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the
Company has experienced recurring operating losses and has an accumulated
deficit at May 31, 2003. In addition, the Company expects to experience
significant future losses and currently has insufficient capital resources to
fund its continuing operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about
its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
August 8, 2003