Parmalat Milk Box Achieves Major Increase in Sales Due to Y2K Concerns.

Business Editors/Online, Medical, Food & Beverage Writers

WALLINGTON, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 1999

Online and Hospital sales of Milk Box at Record High

Parmalat Milk Box continues to achieve record sales of its shelf-stable milk as consumers and businesses prepare for Y2K.

According to the leading Internet seller of Parmalat, netgrocer.com, the average daily sales of Parmalat on their Web site have topped 700 units in December, compared to an average daily sales of 107 units during the previous six months. "I don't think it's a coincidence that shelf-stable milk sales are up almost 600% less than one month before the impending Y2K New Year's Eve," said Fred Horowitz, president of netgrocer.com. "Y2K and e-commerce have helped raise consumer awareness that Parmalat Milk Box offers an alternative way to buy milk," said Aldo Uva, president of Parmalat USA. "Now more than ever, consumers nationwide are utilizing the Internet to purchase products, like our shelf-stable milk, that will be on-hand under any circumstance." Parmalat's Milk Box contains 100% fresh cow milk, with no chemicals or preservatives. In fact, Parmalat's Milk Box contains the purest milk possible, because Parmalat pasteurizes the milk at Ultra-High Temperature (UHT), bringing the milk to 284(degree)F, and killing all the bacteria. After pasteurization, Parmalat seals the milk in an aseptic, seven-layer box. It remains good to drink for six months without refrigeration (refrigeration is required only after opening).

The company is also seeing an increase in sales from hospitals throughout the country. "A prominent Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. recently purchased 20,000 half pints of Parmalat to prepare for Y2K," said Uva. "And several other hospitals throughout the country are following the example."

While many experts agree that there is little risk of all-out Y2K disasters, inconveniences such as power outages may occur. For preparedness at Y2K or any time of year, experts recommend taking basic precautions, as if for a winter storm, and stocking three days' worth of provisions that can be stored without refrigeration, such as:

_ Shelf-Stable Milk _ Canned Goods _ Dried Fruit and Nuts _

Cereal, Grains, Bread _ Condiments _ Peanut Butter _ Pasta Makings _ Water _ Medications _ Toiletries _ Batteries

Parmalat's Milk Box is available in many local grocery stores, and can be purchased online via www.parmalat-usa.net or at www.netgrocer.com. Parmalat's Milk Box is the first and only shelf-stable milk of its kind. For more information about Parmalat's Milk Box, visit www.parmalat-usa.net or call Parmalat toll-free at 1-888-PARMALAT (888/727-6252).