American Pasta Execs Boost Stock Holding

NEW YORK - Feb 4/05 - SNS -- American Italian Pasta Company said Horst W. Schroeder, Chairman, and Timothy S. Webster, President and Chief Executive Officer, increased their common stock holdings through the exercise of stock options.

The executive's holdings increased by approximately 27,000 shares and 63,000 shares, respectively, as result of the recent transactions.

Schroeder's shares were acquired from the net proceeds resulting from the exercise and concurrent sale, less exercise price and estimated income tax, of options to purchase 89,000 shares of stock. The options were issued in 1995 and have an expiration date within the next few months. The acquisition of the shares increased Schroeder's personal and family holdings of the Company's stock to approximately 185,000 shares. In addition, he continues to hold 496,000 of unexercised stock options.

Webster's shares were acquired from the net proceeds resulting from the exercise and concurrent sale, less exercise price and estimated income tax, of options to purchase 174,000 shares of stock. The options were issued in 1995, which have an expiration date within the next few months, and in 1997. The acquisition of the shares increased Webster's personal and family holdings of the Company's stock to approximately 100,000 shares. In addition, he continues to hold 624,000 of unexercised stock options.