Exhibit 99


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


     In connection with the Quarterly Report of American Italian Pasta Company
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2002,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), the undersigned, in the capacities and dates indicated below, hereby
certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to our knowledge: (1) The Report fully
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly
presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company.



                                         /s/ Timothy S. Webster
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Timothy S. Webster
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer



                                         /s/ Warren Schmidgall
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Warren Schmidgall
                                       Executive Vice President and Chief
                                       Financial Officer


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