EXHIBIT 23

                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements, Form S-8 No. 333-101121 -- Pactiv Corporation 2002 Incentive
Compensation Plan, Form S-8 No. 333-33484 -- Pactiv Corporation Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, and Form S-8 No. 333-90333 -- Tenneco Packaging Inc. Thrift Plan
for Hourly Employees and Tenneco Packaging Inc. Thrift Plan, of our report dated
January 21, 2004, except for Note 19, as to which date is March 15, 2004, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Pactiv
Corporation included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2003.

Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 15, 2004