ADVISORY/National Organic Standards to be Unveiled by USDA; National Nutritional Foods Association Available for Comment and Insight on Proposal's Impact on Industry and Consumers.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (March 7)

ISSUE:       On Tuesday, March 7 at 12:30 p.m. (EST), Agriculture
             Secretary Dan Glickman will announce the U.S. Department
             of Agriculture's (USDA) latest proposal for national
             organic standards.

             During the public comment period on the 1998 national
             organic standards proposal, the National Nutritional
             Foods Association (NNFA) provided extensive comments that
             contributed to the USDA's decision to revise its initial
             recommendations.

             Of significant importance was opposition to what became
             known as the "Big Three:" genetically modified organisms
            (GMO), irradiation and biosolids (sewage sludge). NNFA
             also addressed concerns including weak regulations on
             livestock, loopholes for synthetic materials, as well as
             land designation issues.

WHO:         Alan Charles Raul, J.D., general counsel for NNFA,
             partner of Sidley & Austin in Washington D.C., and former
             general counsel of the USDA (1989-1993) can provide
             insight on the impact of the new standards on the U.S.
             agricultural and related industries.

             His practice involves litigation and government
             regulation with an emphasis on food, drug and consumer
             products. He regularly lectures and serves on committees
             for the Food and Drug Law Institute.

             Phillip W. Harvey, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.C.N., director of
             science and quality assurance, NNFA, is available to
             comment on the proposed standards effect on the diet of
             U.S. consumers.

             Harvey is a recognized spokesperson for the natural
             products industry in the areas of nutritional
             biochemistry and assessment, clinical nutrition,
             gastrointestinal physiology and endocrinology, sports
             nutrition and dietary supplements.

BACKGROUND:  NNFA is the oldest and largest, non-profit trade
             organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the
             natural products industry for both retailers and
             suppliers.

             NNFA is recognized for its strong, aggressive lobbying
             presence in Washington, D.C., where it serves as the
             industry watchdog on regulatory and legislative matters.
             In 1994, the NNFA was instrumental in the industry's
             fight to secure critical legislation, the Dietary
             Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which
             granted the natural products industry the right to
             include health-relevant information with its products.

CONTACTS:    Shannon Suggett with Paine & Associates, 714/427-3111,
             [e-mail] or Tracy Taylor with the National
             Nutritional Foods Association, 949/622-6272 ext. 245,
             [e-mail].