PRESS RELEASE

Boxmeer, 19th March 2004

New development within NuTrace®

Nutreco Agriculture introduces a rapid analysis method for pathogens

Nutreco Agriculture has made a new development in the management programme for the main pathogens. Together with the UK firm Matrix MicroScience Ltd, Nutreco Agriculture has developed a fast technique for measuring pathogens in the meat production chain. The method is called Pathatrix®/Colortrix™. Masterlab, part of Nutreco, worked closely with the Nutreco companies in the feed, poultry and pork production chains during this development. Nutreco Agriculture will launch the rapid analysis method for salmonella in March 2004. Campylobacter spp. and Listeria spp. will be introduced into the programme over the next 2 years. The new rapid analysis method represents a significant enhancement of the existing NuTrace® monitoring programme. Faster data availability facilitates better management of the entire production chain from feed to meat.

The Pathatrix®/Colortrix™ fast analysis method was created by the UK company Matrix MicroScience. Nutreco Agriculture began working with Matrix MicroScience to adapt an existing rapid method so it could be used for the main pathogens in the production chain from feed to meat. The goal of the project was to substantially reduce the time spent tracing the main pathogens at comparable cost and the same level of accuracy.

Much faster
The Pathatrix®/Colortrix™ method enables analysis results to be made available within 8 hours. The time currently required is 3 to 5 days. This is an enormous time saving. The Pathatrix® method proved to be very efficient and accurate at revealing Salmonella spp. during the successful test phase. So Nutreco Agriculture is launching the first routine application of Pathatrix®/Colortrix™ for Salmonella spp. Nutreco Masterlab will collect additional data over the coming days and weeks to finally validate and certify this rapid method.

The answer throughout the production chain
All the Nutreco companies in the feed, poultry and pork production chains will be working closely together in the further development of this method. Manfred Hessing, Food Safety & Quality Manager- Food & Feed says, "We are including the rapid analysis technique for pathogens in our NuTrace® monitoring programme. The technique does not prevent pathogens per se, but this fast method means we can take action quickly. This gives us a better and more effective approach to pathogens throughout the production chain from feed to meat. We are therefore implementing this rapid technique throughout the entire production chain." The 8-hour rapid analysis method for Salmonella spp. will be available, with full validation and certification by the end of 2004. The plan is to implement it for Campylobacter spp. and Listeria spp in 2006.

NuTrace®
NuTrace® is Nutreco's quality programme. It represents a total approach by Nutreco to quality and information within the food chain. NuTrace® addresses all the quality criteria which Nutreco companies impose on themselves. NuTrace® is being introduced into every link of the production chain for premix, animal feeds, fresh fish, fresh chicken and fresh pork.

Matrix MicroScience
Matrix is a highly innovative company focused on the development of diagnostics for the rapid detection of food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp. and E.coli O157. Matrix has achieved AOAC RI approval for a range of its products. Matrix MicroScience is an international organisation with offices, research and production facilities in Newmarket, UK, and Denver, USA. It was established as an independent company following the sale of its highly successful parent company in August 2000.

Nutreco Holding N.V.
Nutreco Holding N.V. is an international company producing high-quality food for humans and animals. The company is active in various links of the food production chain for fish, poultry and pork. These activities are sub-divided into Nutreco Aquaculture and Nutreco Agriculture. Eight business units operate within various business groups, with over 120 production and processing facilities in 22 countries and approximately 13,000 employees worldwide. Since its stock market flotation in June 1997, Nutreco has completed acquisitions in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, Poland, Chile, Portugal, France, Scotland, Belgium, Hungary, Norway, Australia and the US. Nutreco's turnover in 2003 was EUR 3,674 million. Nutreco is listed on the Officiële Markt of Euronext in Amsterdam and is on the Midkap Index (Amsterdam), the Euronext 150 index and the Next Prime Index (Euronext).