RANDALLS RESTRICTS ACCESS TO 'METH'-MAKING PRODUCTS

Beginning this month, Safeway Inc. -- parent of the Randalls grocery
store chain -- reduced the number of products containing the
decongestant pseudoephedrine, a major ingredient used in the
production of methamphetamine.

From 75 such products sold in stores operated by the Pleasanton,
Calif.-based supermarket chain a year ago, the number has dropped to
17. The remaining products can be sold only by a Safeway pharmacy, so
a store without a pharmacy can sell only cold and flu products that
don't have the ingredient.

"Reducing the number of products available and by placing these
behind the pharmacy will do a great deal to ensure their use only for
legitimate purposes," says Laree Renda, a Safeway executive vice president.

Last June, Safeway became the first major grocery company to
voluntarily move such products to secure locations within its stores.
Many other chains have followed suit to limit legal access to the
pills, used in the manufacture of the addictive controlled stimulant.

Safeway (NYSE: SWY) operates 1,775 stores throughout North America,
including 112 Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in Texas. Last year,
Safeway closed 26 Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in the Austin, Dallas
and Houston areas, including a location in North Austin.