For Immediate Release

March 9, 2004 -- St. Louis, MO - Nikken Foods Company, celebrating their 
40th year in business, experienced outstanding growth and achieved their best 
annual results ever in 2003! 

Mr. Herbert Bench, General Manager/North America, stated that: "Overall, our sales
have doubled in the past three years. This growth in North America and Latin America
can be directly attributed to several new developments at Nikken Foods. It has also 
enhanced the Nikken team's drive to maintain our worldwide leadership position in 
the Natural Flavor category."

Nikken Foods Company, with manufacturing and distribution facilities around the globe, is one of the largest natural flavor companies in the world. Their portfolio of products includes the widest variety of natural savory flavors and soy sauce powders available anywhere. 

Since 1964, Nikken has been a pioneer in new product development and innovative production techniques including anchovy powders, clam broth blends and dried oriental vegetables. So, what's new, and what's news, at Nikken Foods? 

NEW MANAGER OF TECHNICAL SERVICES 

Mr. Jim Nolte, a highly respected Food Scientist, joined the Nikken Foods team 
in 2003 as Manager of Technical Services. Mr. Nolte has a lifelong passion for foods 
and his entire career has included direct involvement in the food flavor industry. 

From his 25 years of experience as Product Development Manager, Process Improvement Specialist and Quality Control Manager, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge to this critical position. Jim is developing new application techniques for Nikken's line of natural flavors. He's working directly with the customer base and sales representatives to communicate this evolving technology. 

NEW PRACTICAL APPLICATION KITCHEN

Mr. Nolte's first initiative at Nikken was to oversee the development of a new, 
state-of-the-art Practical Application Kitchen. The new facility, located at the 
company's North American headquarters in St. Louis, includes all of the necessary modern equipment to apply Nikken products to new and unique food systems.

NEW PRODUCT LINES 

The first products to be introduced from the new Practical Application Kitchen 
include Shelf-Stable Sautéed Vegetable Pastes & Concentrates and Continuous 
Vacuum Dried (CVD) natural flavor bases. 

Mr. Nolte states: "Nikken's New Sautéed Onion Concentrate, Sautéed Minced Onion Paste, and Sautéed Garlic Paste are all room temperature shelf-stable because of the cleanliness of the production process. The concentrates provide a consistently clean, 
non-salty taste and aroma. That consistency derives from our adherence to the highest standards of our Quality Process Control (QPC) system, and sourcing of the finest ingredients available." 

A second line of new products Nikken Foods continues to introduce is the Continuous Vacuum Dried (CVD) natural flavor bases. Mr. Bench stated: "Nikken Foods is one of the few companies in the world that has perfected the technique of producing CVD flavors and flavor bases." The variety of available CVD products includes Roasted 
Onion Powder, Roasted Chinese Cabbage, Mushroom Bouillon, Roasted Garlic Powder, Mirepoix Powders and a Black Bean Powder. 

The third, and most recent, new product line to be introduced by Nikken are the cutting edge XO natural flavors. The initial XO Seafood Powder is a spicy oriental fish sauce consisting of seafood blended with oriental seasonings and uniquely dried in the Continuous Vacuum Drying (CVD) process. The first XO Liquid Concentrate is a spicy oriental fish sauce that is low in moisture, room temperature stable and pourable.

To effectively handle the increased demand for new and existing natural flavors, 
Nikken Foods has dramatically increased their production capabilities. "We've 
developed two new manufacturing plants in mainland China to meet our customers' wants and needs." said Mr. Bench. Also, to compliment their facilities in Japan, they are adding Contract Manufacturing arrangements in Japan as well. 

Nikken Foods North America has always been a pioneer in new product development 
and innovative production techniques. This holds true with the approach to marketing their unique products from the Orient as well.

Mr. Bench stated: "We searched extremely hard for a marketing partner that readily understood our products and customers, and shared our philosophies and vision as well. We found that partner in Schneider DeMuth Advertising in Louisville, Kentucky." 
The full-service agency, with over 30 years of international experience, was presented with the challenge of creating and developing an enhanced image for Nikken Foods. 

"They were very intelligent in their approach to researching our company, products 
and personnel. They call it 'Living The Brand.' And, by living our brand, they created a very unique positioning that reflects what Nikken Foods is all about." said Mr. Bench.

Mr. David R. Hogan, Vice President/Director of Marketing for Schneider DeMuth Advertising, stated: "Nikken Foods is a major player in the Natural Flavor Base industry. Based on Nikken's existing strengths and unique selling propositions, our team determined that we could solidify and enhance their market position with a theme that was bold, creative and 'played' on three different levels. The theme we developed for this campaign is: 'Come To Your Senses. Come To Nikken.'" 

"The first level is the obvious one. The natural flavor bases produced by Nikken Foods appeal to the consumer's sense of taste, the fresh aromas appeal to the consumer's sense of smell and the consistent quality of Nikken products appeal to the Food Technologist's common sense." said Mr. Hogan.

Mr. Hogan added: "The second level focuses on retaining Nikken's long-time customers. The statement is to be interpreted as a subtle compliment to them. We want to reaffirm our customer's smart 'business sense' in making the decision to continue working with the best there is, Nikken Foods."

"Finally, for the third level, the theme becomes a little more bold. In communicating with the companies that are not working with Nikken, we're playfully asking them to rethink their existing relationships, 'come to their senses,' and consider Nikken Foods as their natural flavor base supplier. It all makes 'sense.'" concluded Mr. Hogan. 

Mr. Bench added: "We're rolling out a series of new ads to be featured in several industry-related trade publications. The agency has also worked with our team 
to create and produce a new full-size capabilities brochure with product specific inserts, 
a new mini-brochure including a Sample Order form, and a new web site located at www.nikkenfoods.com. We're currently creating and developing a new trade show display as well. Our 40th Anniversary promises to be another extremely successful year at Nikken Foods Company!"

For additional information or to schedule a personal interview, please contact 
Mr. Herbert Bench, General Manager/North America of Nikken Foods Company, at 502.292.3285, or visit www.nikkenfoods.com.



NOTE: 

Mr. Herb Bench, General Manager of Nikken Foods/North America and 
Mr. Jim Nolte, Manager of Technical Services, are available upon request 
to visit your publication and personally introduce to you and your staff 
the new product developments, and their practical applications, from 
Nikken Foods Company.