Announcement demonstrates growing market for oil from VISTIVE™ low-linolenic soybean as a trans fat solution

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) applauds today’s announcement by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) that it will reduce trans fatty acids in fried foods at its chicken restaurants by using oil from low-linolenic soybeans.

“We’ve been very pleased with the level of interest from food companies in using VISTIVE™ low-linolenic soybeans in their efforts to reduce trans fats,” said Jerry Steiner, executive vice president of Monsanto. 

“KFC’s announcement and others like it present a unique opportunity for North American soybean farmers,” Steiner said.  “Demand for this type of oil continues to outstrip supply.  Farmers here can demonstrate to the food industry that they are able to provide the best alternative oil in the fight to reduce trans fats while, at the same time, earning a premium growing VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans.”

Monsanto has increased the opportunity for growers by adding new processors, geographies and seed brands for VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans in 2007.  Monsanto is expanding acreage production in 2007 to include Ohio and Maryland, as well as Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska, where these soybeans are currently being grown. VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans have the Roundup Ready® trait and maintain performance parity with other commercial soybean varieties.  For 2007, VISTIVE will be available in Monsanto’s Asgrow® brand as well as Campbell Seed, CROPLAN Genetics®, Crow’s, Dyna-Gro® Seed, FS HiSOY® and Vigoro® Seeds and an additional 21 seed brands.

VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans, developed through conventional breeding, contain less than three percent linolenic acid as compared to the typical eight percent level found in traditional soybeans.  The result is more stable soybean oil, with less need for hydrogenation, which produces trans fats. Because soybeans with a lower linolenic acid level reduce the need for partial hydrogenation, their application in processed soybean oils reduces the presence of trans fats in processed soybean oil. 

KFC is the latest company to announce the use of low-linolenic soybeans to reduce or eliminate trans fats in its products. Kellogg Company, for instance, announced last year that it is using oil from VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans as part of a major trans fat initiative.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see www.monsanto.com.

Asgrow®, Roundup Ready®, VISTIVE™ and Crow’s®, are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC or of a Monsanto affiliated company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.  ©2006 Monsanto Company.

KFC news release

Louisville, Kentucky
October 30, 2006

KFC Corporation announced today it is converting all of its 5,500 restaurants in the United States to a zero grams trans fat cooking oil. The new oil, a low linolenic soybean oil, will replace the partially hydrogenated soybean oil in current use in KFC restaurants. The conversion, which follows over two years of extensive testing of oil options to identify the same taste profile, has already begun in many KFC restaurants and is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2007 nationwide.

Once the transition is complete, KFC's most popular signature products, including Original Recipe and Extra Crispy chicken, will contain zero grams of trans fat. Other products that will have zero grams of trans fat are: Crispy Strips, Wings, Boneless Wings, Honey BBQ, Buffalo and Crispy Snacker Sandwiches, Popcorn Chicken, Twisters and Potato Wedges. Many KFC menu items today already contain zero grams of trans fat, including: all Tender Roast Products, Honey BBQ Sandwich, Honey BBQ Snacker, and many side dishes such as Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and Coleslaw.

"We are pleased to announce KFC is switching to a zero trans fat cooking oil for all of our fried products," said Gregg Dedrick, President of KFC Corporation. "This conversion follows more than two years of extensive testing to identify an oil that provides all the same delicious taste as our original recipes with zero grams of trans fat. The great news is that KFC's Original Recipe and Extra Crispy chicken, along with the majority of our menu items at KFC, will have the same delicious taste with zero grams of trans fat. This is a win-win for our customers."

Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend minimizing the consumption of trans fat as part of a healthy diet. As a result, the announcement by KFC was praised by leading health officials, including Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. "I congratulate KFC on their decision to switch to a zero trans fat cooking oil," said Dr. Carmona. Trans fat has been shown to increase the risk for heart disease. The good news is that people can reduce their risk for heart disease through food choices and physical activity. I'm pleased that KFC is making significant changes to help Americans make healthier choices, and I encourage other companies to follow their lead."

Dedrick said that today's announcement is the culmination of a two-year effort that has involved extensive research, development and testing. "We've tested a number of different oils and we're pleased we have found one that keeps our chicken finger lickin' good -- with zero grams of trans fat. Today's announcement is a breakthrough because consumers are oftentimes asked to compromise by choosing between eliminating trans fat, and better taste. We think Colonel Sanders would be proud that we have found a solution that keeps all the delicious taste of KFC's Original Recipe chicken, while making the majority of our menu zero trans fat. "

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ and Colonel's Crispy Strips® with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. Complete nutrition information is available at www.kfc.com and on restaurant brochures; these will be updated with the new trans fat information once the oil conversion is complete. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM.)

RELATED RELEASE: A second major U.S. brand makes the switch to low-linolenic soybean oil