Exhibit 99.1


                         TYSON FOODS PRESS RELEASE

   Statement of Tyson Foods, Inc. Regarding AmeriServe's Reorganization


Springdale,  AR  -  January 31, 2000  - Monday  afternoon  AmeriServe  Food
Distribution, Inc. filed for reorganization in Wilmington, DE under Chapter
11  of  the  Bankruptcy Code.  AmeriServe is a significant  distributor  of
products  to several fast food and casual restaurant chains.  Tyson  Foods,
Inc.  is a major supplier to AmeriServe's customers and at the time of  the
filing   had  approximately  $25  million  in  trade  credit  extended   to
AmeriServe.   This filing comes as a surprise since in recent  conversation
regarding  credit matters Tyson was given every assurance  that  AmeriServe
had no plans for bankruptcy.

Tyson and the customers served by AmeriServe are engaged in discussions  to
assure continuity of supply of Tyson products to their restaurants.

For  further  information, contact Louis Gottsponer,  Tyson's  Director  of
Investor  Relations  at  (501)290-4826 or Ed  Nicholson,  Corporate  Public
Relations Manager at (501)290-4591.


































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