UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
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NUTRACEA
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Filed by NutraCea pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PRESS RELEASE
NUTRACEA BEGINS IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MODEL
COMPANY TO FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH GOVERNMENTS AND RICE
MILLS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF PROPRIETARY RICE STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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EL DORADO HILLS, CA. JUNE 16, 2005-NutraCea (OTC BB: NTRZ) a leading researcher
and developer of proprietary stabilized rice bran formulations, announced today
that they have begun an initiative to penetrate global markets by forming
strategic alliances with foreign governments of rice producing countries as well
as rice mills to facilitate the deployment of the Company's stabilization
technology, which will convert the world's largest wasted food resource, rice
bran, into food products that can virtually feed millions of malnourished women
and children for pennies a day.
"An aggressive plan is underway to build relationships with governments and
owners of large rice mills that share in the vision to create a new industry and
further their own economic development and stability. Equally important, these
programs would help provide a long term solution for food security for these
countries as well a dynamic revenue stream for NutraCea," stated Brad Edson.
According to the Company, negotiations are currently in progress at the highest
level with several countries to embrace this technology. These countries have
demonstrated an interest to enter into binding agreements, which would allow for
the build out of plants adjacent to the rice mills. These potential agreements
are examples of how rice bran, the largest underutilized food resource on earth,
can be transformed into several different highly nutritious value-added food
products to combat world hunger. These products have already been demonstrated
to greatly improve the nutritional status of children in several Central
American countries.
"We see an enormous potential to pursue rapid deployment of our global strategic
marketing development. We met with the Ambassadors of several rice producing
nations and government organizations that are eager to move forward on our
business proposal. From the inception of NutraCea(R), its Founder's vision was
to positively impact world hunger, and we are still firmly committed to that
endeavor. NutraCea plans to execute on the success of previous feeding programs
and studies, which unequivocally demonstrated the value of their RiSolubles(R)
in feeding programs in children throughout Central America," stated Edson.
NutraCea believes that successfully completing the proposed merger with The
RiceX Company would better position NutraCea to pursue its plan of global
expansion. The combined companies would be able to offer to prospective
partners the rice stabilization technologies and expertise of both NutraCea and
RiceX, which would enhance and expand the value of services that NutraCea could
provide.
ABOUT NUTRACEA(R)
NutraCea is a leader in stabilized rice bran nutrient research and dietary
supplement development. The Company has developed intellectual property to
create a range of proprietary product formulations, delivery systems and whole
food nutrition products. NutraCea's proprietary technology enables the creation
of food and nutrition products from rice bran, normally a waste by-product of
standard rice processing. In addition to its whole foods products, NutraCea
develops families of health-promoting "nutraceuticals," including natural
arthritic relief and cholesterol-lowering products, and all-natural
"cosmeceutical" beauty aids. More information can be found in the company's
filings with the SEC and you can visit the NutraCea web site
http://www.NutraCea.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, acceptance of our products and
technologies by foreign governments, the successful acquisition and integration
of The RiceX Company, product demand and market acceptance, the impact of the
competitive products and pricing, new product development, reliance on key
strategic alliances, availability of materials, the regulatory environment, and
other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are made based upon current
expectations that are subject to risk and uncertainty. The Company does not
undertake to update forward-looking statements in this news release to reflect
actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting
such forward-looking information. Assumptions and other information that could
cause results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking information
can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the company's most recent periodic report.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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NutraCea intends to file a proxy statement in connection with the proposed
merger transaction with RiceX. Investors and shareholders are urged to read the
proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain important
information about the merger transaction. Investors and shareholders may obtain
free copies of the proxy statement and other relevant documents (when they
become available) and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at www.sec.gov.
In addition, investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of the documents
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by NutraCea by contacting
Investor Relations at 916-933-7000.
NutraCea and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of NutraCea in
connection with the merger. Information regarding the special interests of these
directors and executive officers in the transaction described herein will be
included in the proxy statement of NutraCea as described above. Additional
information regarding the directors and executive officers of NutraCea is also
included in NutraCea annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2005.
This document is available free of charge at the Securities and Exchange
Commission's web site at www.sec.gov and from NutraCea by contacting Investor
Relations at 916-933-7000.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT:
MARGIE ADELMAN
SENIOR V.P. NUTRACEA
916-933-7000 EXT. 646
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
WOLFE AXELROD WEINBERGER ASSOCIATES, LLC
STEPHEN D. AXELROD, CFA
212-370-4500