Gastroenterological Expert to Join NutraCea Board of Directors


EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- NutraCea (OTCBB:NTRZ), a leading nutraceutical research and development company, announced today that Eliot R. Drell, M.D. has agreed to join the company's board of directors. Dr. Drell has also been elected the chairman of NutraCea's medical advisory board, having previously served as a medical advisor for the company. Dr. Drell currently serves as a director for Gastroenterology Medical Clinic in Folsom, CA. He is also the president for UR Labs. Dr. Drell is also an active speaker and lecturer for major pharmaceutical companies, including Astra Zeneca (NYSE:AZN), Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Wyeth (NYSE:WYE).

"We are pleased that Dr. Drell has agreed to join our board of directors. Adding directors of his status and broad medical and business experience reflects our commitment to having the strongest possible independent board as we execute our plan to grow NutraCea," says Patricia McPeak, CEO of NutraCea.

Dr. Drell's past medical staff appointments include acting as a Director of the Endoscopic unit at Mercy Hospital of Folsom, CA, Director of the Endoscopic Unit at Marshall Hospital, Chief of Medicine at Mercy Hospital of Flosom, Member of the Medical Executive Committee at both Mercy Hospital of Folsom and Marshall Hospital as well as Assistant Professor at the U.C. David Medical Center. He is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology, which he has practiced for the past 20 years.

"I am very excited and optimistic as I look forward to my expanded role with the company," Dr. Drell recently commented. "NutraCea is poised to become a dominant player in the 'complimentary medical' marketplace. Patients and consumers alike are looking for less toxic, efficacious and inexpensive alternatives to pharmaceuticals in treating their medical conditions and in maintaining their general health. NutraCea is seeking nutritional solutions to these issues by creating a diverse product line, with a willingness to pursue clinical trials that support the validity of these products. Already, a number of these products have been shown to be efficacious in clinical trials. NutraCea's commitment to ongoing research and development assures that it will be one of the leaders in finding safe and nutritional solutions that help bridge the gap between alternative and traditional medicine." Dr. Drell has served on the medical advisory committee for NutraCea for the past three years.

NutraCea is currently in the process of strengthening both its medical advisory board and its board of directors. The company's strategy has always been to back its nutraceutical products with solid scientific research to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of its products.

"We believe many nutraceutical products could actually provide a natural integrative compliment -- and occasionally even an alternative -- to traditional blockbuster drugs. But, in order for the nutraceutical products to gain much wider acceptance among mainstream medical professionals, nutraceutical companies will need to do a better job providing healthcare professionals with reliable scientific data on the products' health benefits. We recognize this, and that is exactly why we keep adding renowned medical experts, such as Dr. Drell, to our team," says McPeak.

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.nutraceacorp.com.

NutraCea has also 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.

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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