Exhibit 99.1


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AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY                                          -
                                                                        -RELEASE

Contact: George Shadid, EVP & Chief Financial Officer 816-584-5621 gshadid@aipc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                         AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
                           AUTHORIZES DIVIDEND PAYMENT

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KANSAS CITY, MO, February 3, 2005 -- American Italian Pasta Company (NYSE:  PLB)
announced today that the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the payment
on  March 8,  2005,  of a  quarterly  dividend  of 18.75  cents  per  share,  to
shareholders of record as of February 22, 2005.

Founded  in 1988 and based in Kansas  City,  Missouri,  American  Italian  Pasta
Company is the largest producer and marketer of dry pasta in North America.