NutraCea Announces Record Weekly Sales

Important Endorsement Leads to Positive Media Coverage


EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. , Dec. 18, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- NutraCea (OTCBB:NTRZ), a leading nutraceutical research and development company, announced today that its sales skyrocketed last week after the company was featured in the Sacramento Bee last Sunday.

The article discussed Dr. Ernie Bodai, a charismatic leader in the fight against breast cancer, one of the most visible and well-funded medical causes in history. Dr. Bodai is one of the leading surgeons at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Sacramento, California, where he continues to perform lumpectomies and mastectomies. The Cure Breast Cancer Stamp, a project created by Dr. Bodai, is the second most popular stamp ever sold by the U. S. Postal Service. Congress will vote on the extension of the stamp this week, which could propel it to the number one position.

Bodai endorses NutraCea's revolutionary nutraceutical products. According to the Sacramento Bee article, Bodai thinks "NutraCea is on to something." Bodai said he was impressed after witnessing an acquaintance debilitated by lupus regain her vitality after using NutraCea's products for three months.

Bodai also said he takes one of the products himself, SynBiotics, every day for "general colon health." He said he is intrigued by the potential of the antioxidants contained in rice bran, which he said have been shown to inhibit some mammary tumor growths in mice.

"I am not a naturalist," said Bodai. "but I do believe that plants and natural vegetation probably harbor the cures for many diseases. It's not unreasonable to think that perhaps one of these strong antioxidants could actually control cancer, which is closely linked to the aging process. You will never catch me on an infomercial saying (a rice bran product) cures breast cancer. You will see me on an infomercial saying it may lower cholesterol and triglycerides and help stabilize blood glucose levels."

As a result of Bodai's endorsement, NutraCea received hundreds of phone calls from new customers and other interested parties. The company's weekly sales reached a new all-time record. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, NutraCea intends to launch a nationwide public relations campaign in 2004 to further educate consumers on its products' health benefits.

"Traditional medical professionals are slowly beginning to understand how the human body can rebalance and heal itself, when given a fair opportunity to do so. But in order to repair itself, our body needs certain building blocks. Most Americans are so overfed but undernourished that it has become very easy to get sick but difficult to heal. We believe our breakthrough nutraceutical products provide the body with the nutrient tools it needs to heal itself. Clinical trials have already demonstrated significant results in treating diabetes, arthritis and high cholesterol levels," says Patricia McPeak, CEO of NutraCea. "Through clinical trials we are establishing NutraCea as a major force in the Nutra-pharma industry."

NutraCea's breakthrough nutraceutical products consist of stabilized rice bran derivatives. Rice bran is the most potent source of phytonutrients and antioxidants found in any food today. Unfortunately, it has been unusable for human consumption in the past because an enzyme in the brown rice kernel renders the bran rancid within hours of milling. NutraCea's products retain the vital nutrients of rice bran in a uniquely bioavailable form due to a major breakthrough in advanced processing technology. The company has subsequently launched a wide variety of nutraceutical products based on stabilized rice bran. To learn more about NutraCea's products, visit www.nutracea.com.

NutraCea has conducted scientific research to discover how the nutrients in its products help the human body heal itself. The results from limited clinical trials are astonishing: the company's products may provide significant relief for type 1 and type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels. They may also prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases by lowering cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels. NutraCea's products may also help the body maximize health by normalizing weight and metabolism as well as enhancing liver and immune functions.

For a full story, visit http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/medical/story/7915172p-8852895c.html.

The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the company's Annual Report, Quarterly Reports and other periodic filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

FDA Health Disclaimer: NutraCea's product related statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The company's products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before using any nutraceutical products.



            

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