3.24.2006 ET

(CSRwire) Arnhem, the Netherlands - Akzo Nobel has received official acceptance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States regarding the self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status of the company's Ferrazone® iron compound.

Ferrazone-which is used as an iron fortificant in foods and beverages to reduce iron deficiency--has been granted GRAS status by an independent panel of scientific experts, and is marketed as a GRAS product in the United States. FDA acceptance is an important acknowledgement of a thorough safety review, and is recognized by food companies and many national governments worldwide.

With regard to Ferrazone (food-grade ferric sodium EDTA) the FDA accepted an expert panel's ruling that the product is GRAS for its intended use as a nutrient in soy, fish, teriyaki, hoisin, and sweet and sour sauces.

Developed by Akzo Nobel's Functional Chemicals business, Ferrazone is added to food or beverages to effectively tackle the chronic problem of iron deficiency- one of the most common nutritional disorders in the world. The company believes that the product has the potential to eliminate iron deficiency anemia by as much as 80 percent in populations where the problem is widespread and foods such as fish and soy sauce are widely consumed. New programs are also underway to use Ferrazone in wheat and maize flour fortification.

A condition which affects around 3.5 billion people in the developing world, UNICEF estimates that iron deficiency undermines the health of 500 million women of reproductive age and leads to the deaths of more than one million children and 60,000 women in pregnancy and childbirth each year. It also irreversibly impairs the cognitive development of young children.

The iron compound has already been added to soy sauce in China and Indonesia, and is also being added to fish sauce in Vietnam as part of a five-year national program. In addition, in early 2005, Akzo Nobel donated Ferrazone to meet the iron requirements of 250,000 families affected by the Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. The company is also working with a number of health ministries around the world to reduce iron deficiency using Ferrazone.

Ferrazone is a low cost, highly bioavailable form of iron which usually leaves no taste when added to food and remains stable under adverse storage and cooking conditions. Research has shown that Ferrazone is often absorbed into the human body two to three times better than other forms of iron, and is effective in reducing iron deficiency.

Note for the editor
Akzo Nobel is a Global Fortune 500 company and is listed on both the Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and the FTSE4 Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with human and animal healthcare products, coatings, and chemicals. We employ around 61,500 people and conduct our activities in four segments − human and animal health, coatings and chemicals − subdivided into 13 business units, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2005 totaled EUR 13.0 billion. The financial results for the first quarter will be published on April 20, 2006.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com

Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website www.akzonobel.com. The 2005 Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available in the second quarter of 2006.

* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.

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