USA: Michael Foods and Patent Holder Receive Product Patent

Michael Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIKL) announced today that the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowability regarding the reissuance of the fourth of four egg processing patents it exclusively licenses from North Carolina State University. Importantly, the reissued patent includes product claims beyond the process claims previously allowed. Notably, the product claims cover extended shelf-life liquid eggs with an extended refrigerated shelf-life. Based upon this significantly enhanced patent protection, management expects to aggressively pursue parties who have infringed the four licensed patents, or may do so in the future. Please see a Michael Foods news release of September 22, 1999 and/or Michael Foods' Form 10-K for 1999 or Form 10-Q for the Period Ended June 30, 2000 for background information.Chairman, C.E.O., and President Gregg A. Ostrander commented, "We are gratified that our many years of pursuing a product patent have now borne fruit. Our competitors should be on notice that we will aggressively pursue those who have infringed our patent rights."Michael Foods, Inc. is a diversified food processor and distributor with particular interests in egg products, refrigerated grocery products, specialty dairy products and refrigerated potato products. Principal subsidiaries include Papetti's Hygrade Egg Products, Inc., M. G. Waldbaum Company, Crystal Farms Refrigerated Distribution Company, Kohler Mix Specialties, Inc. and Northern Star Co.