EXHIBIT 5


[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
                                                             B&G Foods, Inc.
                                                             426 Eagle Rock Ave.
                                                             Roseland, NJ  07068


                                  PRESS RELEASE
                                  -------------



ROSELAND,  N.J.,  JANUARY 13, 1999: B&G Foods, Inc.  announced today that it has
entered into a definitive  agreement to purchase the  Polaner(R)  brand of fruit
spreads,  preserves and wet spices from International Home Foods, Inc. Financial
terms  of the  acquisition  were  not  disclosed.  B&G has  been  the  exclusive
co-packer  of the Polaner  products  and  currently  sells and  distributes  the
products  through  its  Store-Door  distribution  system in the greater New York
area. Completion of the acquisition is subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino review. Upon
completion of the  acquisition,  which is expected within one month, the Company
expects to add the Polaner(R) line to its national distribution network as well.
David L.  Wenner,  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of B&G,  stated "B&G
intends to use its  expertise  at  managing  smaller,  specialty  brands to grow
Polaner(R)  in both the grocery and produce  departments  of  supermarkets.  Our
acquisitions  over the past several  years have added the ability to reach other
channels  of food  distribution  such as mass  merchants,  non-food  outlets and
warehouse  clubs.  Opportunities  to  sell  Polaner(R)  products  through  those
channels will also be explored."

The  statements  in this  press  release  that  are  not  historical  facts  are
forward-looking  statements  reflecting the Company's current views as to future
events and financial  performance  with respect to the  Polaner(R)  acquisition.
These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties  that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those set forth in this press release. Factors
that might  cause such a  difference  include  the  possibility  of lower  sales
volumes for Polaner(R) products,  higher costs of raw materials and reactions of
competitors to the transaction.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date made. B&G undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking  statement
to reflect events or circumstances arising after it is made.

B&G Foods,  Inc. is a diversified food products company with 1998 proforma sales
of approximately  $205,000,000.  The company is  headquartered in Roseland,  New
Jersey and  manufactures  and sells B&G(R) brand pickles,  peppers and specialty
items, Trappey(R) peppers,  Vermont Maid(R) syrup, Regina(R) wine vinegars, Brer
Rabbit(R)  molasses,  Red Devil(R) hot sauces and Maple Grove  Farms(R)  syrups,
salad dressings and specialty items. It also  manufactures and sells bagel chips
and other baked snacks under the Burns & Ricker(R), New York Style(R) and Regina
Panetini(R)  trademarks.  The company was  acquired in December  1996 by the New
York investment firm Bruckmann, Rosser and Sherrill & Co., L.P.. Polaner will be
the company's fourth acquisition since its purchase by BRS.




Contact:  Robert C. Cantwell
          (973) 228-2500