Document:

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                              Warrants to Purchase

                                   ----------

                             Shares of Common Stock

                             NEW WORLD PASTA COMPANY

                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS

          This certifies that, for value received, JLL Pasta, LLC or its
registered assigns (the "Holder") is entitled to purchase from New World Pasta
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at any time from 9:00 a.m., New
York City time, on July 30, 2001 until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July
30, 2008 (the "Expiration Date"), at the purchase price of $1.00 per share (the
"Warrant Price"), the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value
$.01 per share ("Common Stock"), shown above. The number of shares purchasable
upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the "Warrants") and the
Warrant Price are subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth below.

          Section 1. Exercise of Warrants.

               (a) Warrants may be exercised in whole or in part, at any time or
from time to time, by presentation of this Warrant certificate with the Purchase
Form (attached hereto as Exhibit A) duly executed and simultaneous payment of
the Warrant Price to the Company. Payment of such price shall be made, at the
option of the Holder, (i) in cash or by certified or official bank check payable
to the Company; (ii) by cashless exercise (in the manner described below in
Section 1(c)); or (iii) by any combination of payment described in clauses (i)
or (ii) hereof. As provided herein, the Warrant Price and the number or kind of
shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Warrants evidenced by
this Warrant certificate are, at the option of the Company or upon the happening
of certain events, subject to modification and adjustment described herein.

               (b) In case an exercise of Warrants is in part only, a new
Warrant or Warrants of like tenor, calling in the aggregate on the face or faces
of the Warrant certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common
Stock equal (without giving effect to any adjustment thereof) to the number of
such shares called for on the face of this Warrant certificate minus the number
of such shares designated by the Holder upon such exercise as provided in this
Section 1 shall be issued and delivered to the Holder or its registered assigns.
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               (c) As described in clause (ii) of Section 1(a) above, the Holder
may apply to the payment required by this Section 1 that portion of this
Warrant, that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the value of the
Warrant or portion thereof on the exercise date (determined by subtracting the
aggregate exercise price for the shares of Common Stock in effect on the
exercise date from the aggregate current market price (as determined below in
Section 1(d) of the shares of Common Stock) by (ii) the current market price of
one share of Common Stock.

               (d) For the purpose of any computation under Section 1(c) and
Section 7, the current market price per share of the Common Stock shall be
determined in good faith by the Board on the basis of such information as it
considers appropriate; provided, however, that if the Common Stock is publically
traded at the time of such computation, then the current market price per share
of Common Stock at any date shall be the average of the daily closing prices for
20 consecutive trading days commencing 30 trading days before the date of such
computation, which closing price for each day shall be the last reported sales
price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices regular way for such day, in each
case on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Common
Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to
trading, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of the Common Stock in
the over-the-counter market as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

          Section 2. Exchange of Warrant Certificates. This Warrant certificate
may be exchanged for another certificate or certificates entitling the Holder to
purchase like aggregate number of Common Stock issuable on exercise of the
Warrants (the "Warrants Shares") as the certificate or certificates surrendered
then entitle the Holder to purchase. The Holder shall make such request in
writing delivered to the Company, and shall surrender, properly endorsed, the
certificate or certificates to be so exchanged. Thereupon, the Company shall
sign and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant certificate or certificates, as the
case may be, as so requested.

          Section 3. Compliance with Government Regulations. If any shares of
Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes of exercise of Warrants
require, under any Federal or state law or applicable governing rule or
regulation of any national securities exchange, registration with or approval of
any governmental authority, or listing on any such national securities exchange
before such shares may be issued upon exercise, the Company will in good faith
and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to cause such shares to be duly
registered, approved or listed on the relevant national securities exchange, as
the case may be; provided, however, that in no event shall such shares of Common
Stock be issued,

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and the Company is hereby authorized to suspend the exercise of all Warrants,
for the period, and only for such period, during which such registration,
approval or listing is required but not in effect.

          Section 4. Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay all documentary
stamp taxes, if any, attributable to the initial issuance of Warrant Shares upon
the exercise of Warrants; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to pay any tax or taxes which may be payable in respect of any transfer
involved in the issue or delivery of any Warrants or Warrant certificates for
Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the Holder.

          Section 5. Mutilated or Missing Warrants. If certificates evidencing
the Warrants shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company may in
its discretion issue, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of
the mutilated Warrant certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the
Warrant certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Warrant certificate of like
tenor and representing an equivalent right or interest, but only upon receipt of
(i) evidence satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction of
such Warrant certificate and (ii) an indemnity or bond, if requested, also
satisfactory to the Company. The Holder shall also comply with such other
reasonable regulations and pay such other reasonable charges as the Company may
prescribe.

          Section 6. Adjustment of Warrant Price and Number of Warrant Shares.
The number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant
and the Warrant Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the
happening of certain events, as hereinafter defined.

                         (a) Mechanical Adjustments. In the event that a
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, or
other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse split, reorganization,
merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or
other similar corporate transaction or event shall occur after the date hereof
which the Board in its reasonable discretion, determines affects the Common
Stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the rights of the Holder or the value of the Warrants, then the
Board shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems necessary or
appropriate to any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of capital stock
which may thereafter be issued upon exercise of Warrants, (ii) the number and
kind of shares of capital stock issued or issuable in respect of Warrants and
(iii) the Warrant Price.

                         (b) Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the number of
Warrant Shares purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant or the Warrant

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Price of such Warrant Shares is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company (i)
shall promptly mail by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder notice
of such adjustment or adjustments and (ii) shall deliver to the Holder a
certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company setting forth the
number of Warrant Shares purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant and the
Warrant Price of such Warrant Shares after such adjustment and setting forth the
computation by which such adjustment was made. Such certificate, in the absence
of manifest error, shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such
adjustment.

                         (c) Preservation of Purchase Rights Upon Merger,
Consolidation, etc. In case of any consolidation of the Company with or merger
of the Company into another corporation or in case of any sale, transfer or
lease to another corporation of all or substantially all the property of the
Company, proper provision shall be made that the Holder, upon the exercise of
Warrants after the consummation of such transaction, shall have the right
thereafter upon payment of the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such
action to purchase upon exercise of each Warrant the kind and amount of shares
and other securities and property which it would have owned or have been
entitled to receive after the happening of such consolidation, merger, sale,
transfer or lease had the Warrant been exercised immediately prior to such
action. The Company shall mail by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the
Holder, notice of the execution of any such agreement. Such agreement shall
provide for adjustments, which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in Section 6. The provisions of this
Section 6(d) shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales,
transfers or leases.

                         (d) Statement on Warrants. Irrespective of any
adjustments in the Warrant Price or the number or kind of shares purchasable
upon the exercise of the Warrants, Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued may
continue to express the same price and number and kind of shares as are stated
in the Warrants initially issuable.

          Section 7. Fractional Interests. No fractional shares will be issued
upon the exercise of any Warrant, but the Company shall pay an amount in cash
equal to the closing price for one share of Common Stock, as determined above in
Section 1(f), multiplied by such fraction.

          Section 8. Restrictions on Transfer.

               (1) The Warrant and the Warrant Shares shall be subject to the
transfer restrictions set forth in the Stockholders Agreement dated as of
January 28, 1999, among the Company, New World Pasta, LLC, Miller Pasta, LLC and
Hershey Chocolate Confectionary Corporation, as the same may be amended from
time to time, as if the Holder were a party thereto; provided, however, that the

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Warrant may be distributed, in whole or in part, by JLL Pasta, LLC to its
members or their respective affiliates.

               (2) The Warrant and the Warrant Shares are "restricted
securities," as such term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act, and any resale of the Warrant or the Warrant Shares must be in
compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or an
exemption therefrom.

          Section 9. No Rights as Stockholders, Notices to Holders. Nothing
contained herein shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder the right to
vote or to receive dividends or to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder
in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the
Company or any other matter, or any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the
Company. If, however, at any time prior to the expiration of the Warrants and
prior to their exercise, any of the following events shall occur:

                         (1) the Company shall declare any dividend payable in
     any securities upon its shares of Common Stock or make any distribution
     (other than a cash dividend) to the Holder of its shares of Common Stock;
     or

                         (2) the Company shall offer to the Holder shares of
     Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
     Common Stock or any right to subscribe for or purchase any thereof; or

                         (3) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
     Company (other than in connection with a consolidation, merger, sale,
     transfer or lease of all or substantially all of its property, assets, and
     business as an entirety) shall be proposed,

then, in any one or more of said events, the Company shall give notice in
writing of such event to the Holder as provided in Section 10 hereof, such
giving of notice to be completed at least 10 days prior to the date fixed as a
record date or the date of closing the transfer books for the determination of
the stockholders entitled to such dividend, distribution, or subscription
rights, or for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on such
proposed dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Such notice shall specify such
record date or the date of closing the transfer books, as the case may be.
Failure to publish, mail or receive such notice or any defect therein or in the
publication or mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of any action taken
in

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connection with such dividend, distribution or subscription rights, or such
proposed dissolution, liquidation or up.

          Section 10. Notices. Any notice by the Company to the Holder, or by
the Holder to the Company, shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person
or by facsimile transmission, or mailed first class, postage prepaid, (i) to the
Company, at its offices at New World Pasta Company, 85 Shannon Road, Harrisburg,
PA 17112, Attention: Chief Financial Officer or (ii) to the Holder, at the
registered address of such holder as set forth in the register kept at the
principal office of the Company. Each party hereto may from time to time change
the address to which notices to it are to be delivered or mailed hereunder by
notice to the other party.

          Section 11. Ownership. The Holder hereof may be treated by the Company
and all other persons dealing with this Warrant certificate as the absolute
owner hereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights
represented hereby, or to the transfer hereof on the books of the Company, any
notice to the contrary notwithstanding, and until such transfer on such books,
the Company may treat the Holder hereof as the owner for all purposes.

          Section 12. Applicable Law. The Warrant certificate and the Warrants
issued hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of
laws.

          Section 13. Captions. The captions of the Sections and subsections of
this Warrant certificate have been inserted for convenience only and shall have
no substantive effect.

Dated:  July 30, 2001

                                             NEW WORLD PASTA COMPANY

                                             By: /s/ Wayne Robison
                                                --------------------------------

                                             Attest: /s/ Kathleen Purcell
                                                    ----------------------------

                                       6<PAGE>

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY
                                                                  --------------

          AMENDMENT NO. 2 dated as of July 30, 2001 to the Credit Agreement
dated as of January 28, 1999 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 10,
2000, the "Credit Agreement"), among New World Pasta Company, a Delaware
           ----------------
corporation (the "Borrower"), the various financial institutions parties thereto
                  --------
(the "Lenders"), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, and
      -------
The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent (the
"Administrative Agent").
 --------------------

                                   WITNESSETH:

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have
entered into the Credit Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are
willing, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth below, to amend
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement, after giving
effect to the amendments contained herein, being referred to as the "Amended
                                                                     -------
Credit Agreement");
----------------

          NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the
agreements herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.

          SECTION 1.1. Definitions; References. Unless otherwise specifically
                       -----------------------
defined herein, each term used herein which is defined in the Credit Agreement
shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 1.2. Effectiveness. The Borrower, the Lenders and the
                       -------------
Administrative Agent agree that the following amendments to the Credit Agreement
in this Article I shall become effective on the Second Amendment Effective Date
(as defined below) unless stated to become effective solely on the Term-C Loan
Borrowing Date (as defined below), in which case such amendments shall become
effective on the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date.

          SECTION 1.3. Amendments to Section 1.1
                       -------------------------

          (a) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by inserting or
replacing the following definitions in appropriate alphabetical order in Section
1.1:

     "Acquisition Document" means the Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement dated
      --------------------
July 6, 2001 among the Sellers and JLL Pasta LLC, as amended from time to time.

     "Commitment Termination Date" means, as the context may require, the
      ---------------------------
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, any Term Loan Commitment Termination
Date or the Term-C Loan Commitment Termination Date.
<PAGE>

     "Debt" means the outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of the
      ----
Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the type referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c)
                                                         ------- ---  ---  ---
and (e) of the definition of "Indebtedness" or any Contingent Liability in
    ---
respect thereof, other than the principal amount of any Term-C Loan as long as
the interest thereon is payable in kind and not in cash.

     "Lender Credit Termination Date" means the date on which the Administrative
      ------------------------------
Agent determines that all of the Lender Obligations have been indefeasibly
repaid in full in cash, each of the Commitments has been terminated in its
entirety and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated, canceled,
surrendered or cash collateralized in an amount equal to 110% of the face amount
of such Letters of Credit.

     "Lender Obligations" means the Obligations other than the Term-C
      ------------------
Obligations.

     "Loan" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Loan, a Swing Line
      ----
Loan, a Term-A Loan, or a Term-B Loan, in each case, of any type or a Term-C
Loan.

     "Net Debt Proceeds" means, with respect to the incurrence, sale or issuance
      -----------------
(to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement) by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries to any Person of any Debt (other than (i) Debt permitted by
Section 7.2.2 as in effect on the date hereof, including the Subordinated Notes,
-------------
and (ii) proceeds of the Term-C Loans, but Net Debt Proceeds shall include
Excess High Yield Net Debt Proceeds), the excess of:
                                          ------

          (a) the gross cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries from such incurrence, sale or issuance,

     less
     ----

          (b) all reasonable and customary underwriting commissions and legal,
     investment banking, brokerage and accounting and other professional fees,
     sales commissions and disbursements and all other reasonable fees, expenses
     and charges, in each case actually incurred in connection with such
     incurrence, sale or issuance (but excluding any such amounts paid to
     Affiliates of the Borrower in connection therewith in transactions which
     are not permitted under Section 7.2.11).
                             --------------

     "Net Equity Proceeds" means with respect to the sale or issuance by the
      -------------------
Borrower to any Person of any stock, warrants (other than the Warrants) or
options or the exercise of any such warrants or options after the Effective Date
(other than pursuant to capital contributions which are concurrently contributed
to the Borrower on the Effective Date or which are concurrently used to fund
Investments permitted by clause (h) of Section 7.2.5 or Investments permitted by
                         ----------    -------------
clause (b)(ii) of Section 7.2.7) the excess of:
--------------    --------------     ------

          (a) the gross cash proceeds received by the Borrower from such sale,
     exercise or issuance,

     less
     ----

          (b) all reasonable and customary underwriting commissions and legal,
     investment banking, brokerage and accounting and other professional fees,
     sales

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<PAGE>

     commissions and disbursements and all other reasonable fees, expenses and
     charges, in each case actually incurred in connection with such sale or
     issuance (but excluding any such amounts paid to Affiliates of the Borrower
     in connection therewith in transactions which are not permitted under
     Section 7.2.11).
     --------------

     "New Acquisition" means the purchase by the Borrower of all Capital Stock
      ---------------
of Pasta Acquisition Corp., Prince Company, Inc., Borden Foods Canada
Corporation, Borden Foods World Trade Corporation, Albadoro S.p.A., and Monder
Aliment, S.p.A. and related intellectual property pursuant to the Acquisition
Document.

     "Note" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Note, a Swing Line
      ----
Note, a Term-A Note, a Term-B Note or a Term-C Note.

     "Required Lenders" means, at any time,
      ----------------

          (a) prior to the date of the making of the initial Credit Extension
     hereunder, Lenders having at least 51% of the sum of the Revolving Loan
     Commitments, Term-A Loan Commitments and Term-B Loan Commitments;

          (b) on and after the date of the making of the initial Credit
     Extension hereunder and prior to the Lender Credit Termination Date,
     Lenders holding at least 51% of the Total Exposure Amount; and

          (c) on and after the Lender Credit Termination Date, Lenders holding
     at least 51% of the outstanding principal amount of all Term-C Loans.

     "Second Amendment" means Amendment No. 2 dated as of July __, 2001 to this
      ----------------
Credit Agreement.

     "Sellers" means Borden Foods Corporation, BFC Investments, LP and BF Foods
      -------
International Corporation.

     "Specified Plants" means the plants acquired by the Borrower in the New
      ----------------
Acquisition located in: Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Omaha, Nebraska, Louisville,
Kentucky, New Mills, Illinois, and Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

     "Stated Maturity Date" means
      --------------------

          (a)  in the case of any Revolving Loan, January 28, 2005;

          (b)  in the case of any Term-A Loan, January 28, 2005;

          (c)  in the case of any Term-B Loan, January 28, 2006;

          and

          (d)  in the case of any Term-C Loan, June 30, 2006.

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<PAGE>

     "Term-C Loan Borrowing Date" means the date on which Term-C Loans are made.
      --------------------------

     "Term-C Loan Commitment" is defined in Section 2.1.1.
      ----------------------

     "Term-C Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $51,402,000.
      -----------------------------

     "Term-C Loan Commitment Termination Date" means, the earliest of:
      ---------------------------------------

          (a) the Acquisition Date (as such term is defined in the Acquisition
Document), if the Term-C Loans have not been made on or prior to such date; and

          (b) August 30, 2001, if the Term-C Loans have not been made on or
prior to such date; and

          (c) the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date (immediately after the making of
the Term-C Loans on such date).

     "Term-C Lender" means, at any time, the Lender holding the Term-C Loan, but
      -------------
solely in such capacity.

     "Term-C Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order
      -----------
of any Lender in the form of Exhibit 1.1 to the Second Amendment (as such
                             -----------
promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to
time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender
resulting from outstanding Term-C Loans, and also means all other promissory
notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

     "Term-C Obligations" means the unpaid principal balance of and accrued
      ------------------
interest on the Term-C Loan.

     "Term-C Percentage" means, relative to any Lender, the applicable
      -----------------
percentage relating to Term-C Loans, as set forth opposite its name on Schedule
                                                                       --------
I to the Second Amendment under the applicable column heading or set forth in
-
Lender Assignment Agreement(s) under the applicable column heading, as such
percentage may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Lender Assignment
Agreement(s) executed by such Lender and its Assignee Lender(s) and delivered
pursuant to Section 10.11. A Lender shall not have any Commitment to make Term-C
            -------------
Loans if its percentage under the respective column heading is zero.

     "Warrant" means warrants to purchase up to 50,000,000 membership units of
      -------
the Borrower to be issued by the Borrower to New World Pasta LLC.

          SECTION 1.4. Amendment to Section 2.1.1. Section 2.1.1 of the Credit
                       --------------------------
Agreement is amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end thereof:

          "Subject to compliance by the Borrower with the terms of Section 5.3,
                                                                   -----------
     in a single Borrowing on the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date (which shall be a
     Business Day) occurring on or prior to the Term-C Commitment Termination
     Date, each Lender that has a Term-C Percentage in excess of zero will make
     loans (relative to such Lender, its

                                        4
<PAGE>

     "Term-C Loans") to the Borrower equal to such Lender's Term-C Percentage of
      ------------
     the aggregate amount of the Borrowing of Term-C Loans requested by the
     Borrower to be made on the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date (with the commitment
     of each such Lender described in this sentence referred to as its "Term-C
                                                                        ------
     Loan Commitment"). No amounts paid or prepaid with respect to Term-C Loans
     ---------------
     may be reborrowed."

          SECTION 1.5. Amendment to Section 2.1.4. Section 2.1.4 of the Credit
                       --------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting the word "or" at the end of clause (b)(ii)
thereof, deleting the period at the end of clause (c) thereof and inserting in
lieu thereof "; or" and inserting a new clause (d) as follows:

          "(d) any Term-C Loan if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate
     original principal amount of all the Term-C Loans of all Lenders would
     exceed the Term-C Loan Commitment Amount or the aggregate principal amount
     of all the Term-C Loans of such Lender would exceed such Lender's Term-C
     Percentage."

          SECTION 1.6. Amendment to Section 2.3. Section 2.3 of the Credit
                       ------------------------
Agreement is amended by adding the following Section 2.3.3. at the end thereof:

          "SECTION 2.3.3. By delivering a borrowing request substantially in the
     form of Exhibit B hereto to the Administrative Agent on or before 12:00
     noon, New York time, on a Business Day, the Borrower may request, on not
     less than one Business Day's notice, that the Term-C Loan be made in a
     minimum amount of $2,500,000 or in the unused amount of the applicable
     Commitment. On or before 11:00 a.m., New York time, on the Term C-Loan
     Borrowing Date each Lender shall deposit with the Administrative Agent same
     day funds in an amount equal to such Lender's Term-C Percentage of the
     requested Borrowing. Such deposit will be made to an account which the
     Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to the
     Lenders. To the extent funds are received from the Lenders, the
     Administrative Agent shall make such funds available to the Borrower by
     wire transfer to the accounts the Borrower shall have specified in its
     Borrowing Request. No Lender's obligation to make any Loan shall be
     affected by any other Lender's failure to make any Loan."

          SECTION 1.7. Amendment to Section 2.7. The first sentence of clause
                       ------------------------
(b)(ii) of Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting said
sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

          "The Borrower hereby agrees that, upon the request to the
     Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver
     to such Lender, as applicable, a Revolving Note, a Swing Line Note, a
     Term-A Note, a Term-B Note or a Term-C Note evidencing the Loans made by
     such Lender."

          SECTION 1.8. Amendment to Section 3.1.1(a). Clause (a)(i) of Section
                       -----------------------------
3.1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the word "and" at the end
of sub-clause (C) thereof and inserting a new sub-clause (E) as follows:

          "; and

                                        5
<PAGE>

          (E) the Borrower shall not make or be permitted to make any voluntary
     prepayments of the Term-C Loans before the Lender Credit Termination Date;
     and"

          SECTION 1.9. Amendment to Section 3.1.1(b). Section 3.1.1 of the
                       -----------------------------
Credit Agreement is amended by adding the following after each of "$2,000,000"
and "$5,000,000" each time they appear therein: "(plus the Net Disposition
Proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Specified Plants)".

          SECTION 1.10. Amendment to Section 3.1.1(i). Section 3.1.1 of the
                        -----------------------------
Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the period at the end of clause (i) and
inserting the following thereafter:

          "; and

          (j) shall, on the Stated Maturity Date, make a repayment of the
     aggregate outstanding principal amount, if any, of all Term-C Loans."

          SECTION 1.11. Amendment to Section 3.2.1. Section 3.2.1 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (b)(ii)
thereof, deleting the period at the end of clause (c) thereof and inserting ";
and" in lieu thereof and inserting a new clause (d) as follows:

          "(d) with respect to Term-C Loans, equal to a rate per annum of 8.00%.

          SECTION 1.12. Amendment to Section 3.2.2. Section 3.2.2 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting said Section 3.2.2 in its entirety and
inserting in lieu thereof the following:

          "SECTION 3.2.2. Post-Maturity Rates. After the date any principal
                          -------------------
     amount of any Loan shall have become due and payable (whether on the Stated
     Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise), or any other monetary
     Obligation of the Borrower shall have become due and payable, the Borrower
     shall pay, but only to the extent permitted by law, interest (after as well
     as before judgment) (a) on such amounts due and payable in connection with
     the Term Loans or the Revolving Loans at a rate per annum equal to the rate
     that would otherwise be applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2% and (b) on
     such amounts due and payable in connection with the Term-C Loans at a rate
     per annum equal to 2% above the rate otherwise in effect on the Term-C
     Loans."

          SECTION 1.13. Amendment to Section 3.2.3. Section 3.2.3 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (d)
thereof, deleting the period at the end of clause (e) thereof and inserting ";
and" in lieu thereof and inserting a new clause (f) as follows:

          "(f) with respect to the Term-C Loan, on each Quarterly Payment Date
     occurring after the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, provided, however, that
     until the Lender Credit Termination Date, such interest shall not be
     payable in cash but shall instead be capitalized on each Quarterly Payment
     Date by adding the amount thereof to the principal balance of the Term-C
     Loan."

                                        6
<PAGE>

          SECTION 1.14. Amendment to Section 4.8. Section 4.8 of the Credit
                        ------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting said Section 4.8 in its entirety and inserting
in lieu thereof the following:

          "SECTION 4.8 Sharing of Payments. If any Lender shall obtain any
                       -------------------
     payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application
     of setoff or otherwise) on account of any Loan or any Reimbursement
     Obligation (other than pursuant to the terms of Sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5)
                                                     -------------------------
     in excess of its pro rata share of payments then or therewith obtained by
     all Lenders (other than the Term-C Lender) entitled thereto, such Lender
     shall purchase from the other Lenders (other than the Term-C Lender) such
     participation in Credit Extensions (other than the Credit Extensions of
     Term-C Loans) made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing
     Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with each of
     them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of the excess payment
     or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, the
     purchase shall be rescinded and each Lender which has sold a participation
     to the purchasing Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase
     price to the ratable extent of such recovery together with an amount equal
     to such selling Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of

          1. the amount of such selling Lender's required repayment to the
     purchasing Lender

          to
          --

          2. the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender)

          of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing
     Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees
     that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant
     to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all
     its rights of payment (including pursuant to Section 4.9) with respect to
                                                  -----------
     such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of
     the Borrower in the amount of such participation. If under any applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured
     claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section applies, such Lender shall,
     to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured
     claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under
     this Section to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured
     claim.

          In the event that any Term-C Lender shall obtain any payment or other
     recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of setoff or
     otherwise) on account of any Term-C Loan (other than pursuant to Section
     4.3 of the Second Amendment) prior to the Lender Credit Termination Date,
     then such Term-C Lender shall purchase for cash, at par, a subordinated (on
     terms and conditions acceptable to the Lender selling such participation in
     its sole discretion), undivided participating interest in the outstanding
     Loans of each Lender (and, if elected by such Lender, Letters of Credit),
     other than Term-C Loans, in a maximum amount equal to with respect to any
     Loan (other than the Term-C Loan) the quotient of (x) the unpaid principal
     amount of such Loan divided by (y) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
     all Loans (other than the Term-C Loans)."

                                        7
<PAGE>

          SECTION 1.15. Amendment to Article V. Article V of the Credit
                        ----------------------
Agreement is amended by inserting a new Section 5.3 as follows:

          "SECTION 5.3. Credit Extension of Term-C Loans. The obligations of the
                        --------------------------------
Lenders to fund Credit Extensions of the Term-C Loans shall be subject to the
prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth
in this Section 5.3 (it being understood that, as used in this Section 5.3, the
        -----------
term "Subsidiary" includes each Person that, after giving effect to the New
Acquisition, will become a Subsidiary of the Borrower).

          5.3.1 Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received
                --------------

               (a) a Trademark Security Agreement and a Patent Security
          Agreement, each dated as of the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, duly
          executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with
          respect to all intellectual property owned by them or acquired by any
          of them in the New Acquisition;

               (b) counterparts of a Subsidiary Guaranty and a Subsidiary
          Security Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of each
          Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Non-U.S. Subsidiary together
          with Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (Form UCC-1)
          executed and delivered by each such Subsidiary naming such Subsidiary
          as the debtor and the Administrative Agent as the secured party, or
          other similar instruments or documents, to be filed under the Uniform
          Commercial Code and any other applicable recording statutes, in the
          case of real property, of all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in
          the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, desirable to
          perfect the security interest of the Administrative Agent pursuant to
          the Subsidiary Security Agreement or a Mortgage, as the case may be;

               (c) counterparts of a Supplement to the Borrower Pledge Agreement
          updating the schedules to the Pledge Agreement, certificates (if any)
          representing all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock
          of each Subsidiary owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
          Borrower, as the case may be, along with undated stock powers for such
          certificates, executed in blank, or, if any securities subject thereto
          are uncertificated securities, confirmation and evidence satisfactory
          to the Administrative Agent that appropriate steps have been made for
          the Administrative Agent to obtain "control" of such uncertificated
          securities (with any agreements establishing control to be in form and
          substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) resulting in the
          perfection of the security interest granted in favor of the
          Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to the
          terms of a Pledge Agreement provided, that neither the Borrower nor
                                      --------
          any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be required to deliver in pledge
          pursuant to a Pledge Agreement in excess of 65% (or, in the case of a
          Non-U.S. Subsidiary whose voting shares are owned solely by one or
          more Non-U.S. Subsidiaries, 0%) of the total combined voting power of
          all classes of Capital Stock of a Non-U.S. Subsidiary entitled to
          vote; and

                                        8
<PAGE>

               (d) a copy of the resolutions of the Borrower and each Subsidiary
          authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
          Documents to which it is a party, certified by the Secretary or an
          Assistant Secretary of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, respectively,
          which certificate shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the
          Administrative Agent and shall state that the resolutions thereby
          certified have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded.

          Section 5.3.2. Acquisition Document. The Administrative Agent shall
                         --------------------
     have received (with copies for each Lender) a fully executed copy of the
     Acquisition Document, and all other documents and instruments delivered in
     connection with the consummation of the New Acquisition that are required
     to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Document. The
     Acquisition Document shall be in full force and effect and shall not have
     been modified or waived in any material respect, nor shall there have been
     any forbearance to exercise any material rights with respect to any of the
     terms or provisions relating to the conditions to the consummation of the
     New Acquisition in the Acquisition Document unless otherwise agreed to by
     the Required Lenders.

          Section 5.3.3. New Acquisition Certificate. The Administrative Agent
                         ---------------------------
     shall have received a certificate, dated the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, of
     an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying as to a true and complete
     copy of the Acquisition Document (and, to the extent requested by the
     Administrative Agent, all other certificates, filings, documents (including
     shareholder agreements), consents, approvals, board of directors
     resolutions and opinions furnished pursuant to or in connection with the
     Acquisition Document).

          Section 5.3.4. Consummation of New Acquisition. The Administrative
                         -------------------------------
     Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the New
     Acquisition has been consummated in accordance with its terms and the
     aggregate consideration paid, including related fees and expenses, shall
     not exceed $50,000,000.

          Section 5.3.5. Solvency, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have
                         -------------
     received a solvency certificate of a senior executive Authorized Officer of
     the Borrower, dated the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

          Section 5.3.6. Pro Forma Balance Sheet. The Administrative Agent shall
                         -----------------------
     have received a pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, as of
                     --- -----
     the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"), certified
                                          -----------------------
     by the chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower,
     giving effect to the consummation of the New Acquisition and the making of
     the Term-C Loan.

          Section 5.3.7. Fees and Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have
                         -----------------
     received all fees and expenses due and payable pursuant to this Agreement
     (including all previously invoiced fees and expenses).

                                        9
<PAGE>

          Section 5.3.8. Litigation. The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied
                         ----------
     in all respects that there exists no litigation, inquiry or investigation
     contesting the New Acquisition, the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in
     the Second Amendment) or any other aspect of the New Acquisition, or which
     would have a material adverse effect on the property, assets, financial
     condition, operations or business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole.

          Section 5.3.9. Material Adverse Change. The Lenders shall be satisfied
                         -----------------------
     (as evidenced by the delivery of their respective executed signature page
     to the Second Amendment) that there has been no material adverse change in
     the property, assets, financial condition, or operations of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole since December 31, 2000.

          Section 5.3.10. Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall
                          -------------------
     have received opinions, dated the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date and addressed
     to the Administrative Agent and all Lenders, from Skadden, Arps, Slate
     Meagher & Flom LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and each other
     Obligor, satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent
     with respect to such matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
     request with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section 5.3.11. Representations and Warranties. Both before and after
                          ------------------------------
     giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties set
     forth in Article III of the Second Amendment and in each other Loan
              -----------
     Document shall, in each case, be true and correct in all material respects
     with the same effect as if then made (unless stated to relate solely to an
     earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be
     true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

          Section 5.3.12. Deadline. The foregoing conditions in this Section 5.3
                          --------                                   -----------
     shall have been satisfied on or before Term-C Loan Commitment Termination
     Date."

          SECTION 1.16. Amendment of Section 7.1.8. Section 7.1.8 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) at the end thereof as
follows:

               "(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
                                                                     -------
          7.1.8, with respect to any real property owned or leased by the
          -----
          Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries acquired in connection with the
          New Acquisition, the Borrower shall comply (and shall cause its
          Subsidiaries to comply) with the provisions of this Section 7.1.8 as
                                                              -------------
          soon as practicable after the consummation of the New Acquisition;
          provided, however, that to the extent consent of third parties shall
          be required to enable the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to so comply
          the Borrower shall not be obligated to do so if such consent cannot be
          obtained following the use of commercially reasonable efforts to
          obtain such consent."

          SECTION 1.17. Amendment to Section 7.1.9. Section 7.1.9 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (a)
thereof, deleting

                                       10
<PAGE>

the period at the end of clause (b) thereof and inserting in lieu thereof ";
and" and inserting a new clause (c) as follows:

          "(c) no more than $50,000,000 of the proceeds of the Term-C Loans
     shall be used to pay the purchase price of the New Acquisition and related
     expenses and the remainder may be used for general corporate purposes."

          SECTION 1.18. Amendments to Section 7.2.4. Section 7.2.4 of the Credit
                        ---------------------------
Agreement is amended as of the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date by deleting said
Section 7.2.4 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

          "SECTION 7.2.4. Financial Condition. (a) Senior Debt to EBITDA Ratio.
                          -------------------      ---------------------------
     The Borrower will not permit the Senior Debt to EBITDA Ratio as of the end
     of any Fiscal Quarter set forth below to be greater than the ratio set
     forth opposite such date:

                                                                  Senior Debt to
         Fiscal Quarter End                                       EBITDA Ratio
         ------------------                                       ------------

         June 30, 2001*                                                 3.00
         September 30, 2001                                             3.00
         December 31, 2001                                              3.00
         March 31, 2002                                                 3.00
         June 30, 2002                                                  3.00
         September 30, 2002                                             2.75
         December 31, 2002                                              2.75
         March 31, 2003                                                 2.50
         June 30, 2003                                                  2.25
         September 30, 2003 and each Fiscal Quarter thereafter          2.00

         *computed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the New
         Acquisition

          (b) Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Interest
              -----------------------
Coverage Ratio as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter set forth below to be less
than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

                                                                     Interest
         Fiscal Quarter End                                       Coverage Ratio
         ------------------                                       --------------
         June 30, 2001*                                                 1.75
         September 30, 2001                                             1.75
         December 31, 2001                                              1.75
         March 31, 2002                                                 1.75
         June 30, 2002                                                  1.75
         September 30, 2002                                             1.90
         December 31, 2002                                              1.90

                                       11
<PAGE>

         March 31, 2003                                                 2.00
         June 30, 2003                                                  2.00
         September 30, 2003                                             2.00
         December 31, 2003 and each Fiscal Quarter thereafter           2.50

         *computed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the New
         Acquisition

          (c) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
              ---------------------------
     Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter set forth
     below to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

                                                                   Fixed Charge
         Fiscal Quarter End                                       Coverage Ratio
         ------------------                                       --------------

         June 30, 2001*                                                 1.05
         September 30, 2001                                             1.05
         December 31, 2001                                              1.05
         March 31, 2002                                                 1.05
         June 30, 2002                                                  1.05
         September 30, 2002                                             1.20
         December 31, 2002                                              1.30
         March 31, 2003 and each Fiscal Quarter thereafter              1.50

         *computed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the New
         Acquisition

          (d) Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Total
              --------------------------
Debt to EBITDA Ratio as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter set forth below to be
greater than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

                                                                   Total Debt to
         Fiscal Quarter End                                        EBITDA Ratio
         ------------------                                        ------------

         June 30, 2001*                                                 6.50
         September 30, 2001                                             6.50
         December 31, 2001                                              6.50
         March 31, 2002                                                 6.50
         June 30, 2002                                                  6.50
         September 30, 2002                                             6.00
         December 31, 2002                                              6.00
         March 31, 2003                                                 5.50
         June 30, 2003                                                  5.50
         September 30, 2003                                             5.50

                                       12
<PAGE>

         December 31, 2003                                              5.00
         March 31, 2004 and each Fiscal Quarter thereafter              4.75

         *computed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the New
         Acquisition

          SECTION 1.19. Amendments to Section 7.2.5. Section 7.2.5 of the Credit
                        ---------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting clause (h) thereof in its entirety and
inserting in lieu thereof the following new clause (h):

          "(h) (i) the New Acquisition, and (ii) Acquisition Investments, other
     than Acquisition Investments in connection with the New Acquisition, not to
     exceed $25,000,000 for any single Acquisition Investment or $50,000,000 for
     all Acquisition Investments, other than Acquisition Investments in
     connection with the New Acquisition; provided that the aggregate amount of
     the Acquisition Investments and related expenses in connection with the New
     Acquisition shall not exceed $50,000,000."

          SECTION 1.20. Amendments to Section 7.2.7. Clause (a) of Section 7.2.7
                        ---------------------------
of the Credit Agreement is amended as of the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date by
deleting said clause (a) in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the
following new clause (a):

          "(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
     Subsidiaries to, make or commit to make Capital Expenditures in any Fiscal
     Year, which aggregate in excess of the amount set forth below opposite such
     Fiscal Year:

                                                          Maximum Capital
          Fiscal Year                                      Expenditures
          -----------                                      ------------
          2001                                              $20,000,000
          2002                                              $13,000,000
          2003 and thereafter                               $10,000,000

          provided, that, commencing in Fiscal Year 2001, to the extent the
          --------
     amount of Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in any Fiscal Year
     (other than Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000) pursuant to this clause exceeds the
     aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures actually made during such Fiscal
     Year, such excess amount may be carried forward to subsequent Fiscal Years
     but the aggregate Capital Expenditures in any Fiscal Year may not exceed
     the amount set forth above for such Fiscal Year plus the amount set forth
     above for the prior Fiscal Year (any such amount to be certified by the
     Borrower to the Administrative Agent in the Compliance Certificate
     delivered for the last Fiscal Quarter of a Fiscal Year)."

          SECTION 1.21. Amendments to Section 7.2.9. The first paragraph of
                        ---------------------------
Section 7.2.9 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting said paragraph in
its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following new paragraph:

                                       13
<PAGE>

          "The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
     to, sell, transfer, lease, contribute or otherwise convey, or grant
     options, warrants (other than the issuance of warrants required by the
     Senior Subordinated Increasing Rate Note Purchase Agreement or in
     connection with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated High Yield Notes or
     the issuance of the Warrants in connection with the Term-C Loans) or other
     rights with respect to, all or any part of its assets, whether now owned or
     hereafter acquired (including accounts receivable and Capital Stock of
     Subsidiaries) to any Person, unless:"

          SECTION 1.22. Amendments to Section 7.2.9. Section 7.2.9 of the Credit
                        ---------------------------
Agreement is amended by deleting clause (b) in its entirety and substituting in
lieu thereof the following:

          "(b) (i) such sale, transfer, lease, contribution or conveyance of
     such assets is for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
     Board of Directors of the Borrower), and (ii) the Net Disposition Proceeds
     received from such assets, together with the Net Disposition Proceeds (plus
     the principal amount of any notes taken as consideration) of all other
     assets sold, transferred or leased, contributed or conveyed pursuant to
     this clause (b) since the Effective Date, does not exceed (individually or
     in the aggregate) $5,000,000 (exclusive of the Net Disposition Proceeds
     from the disposition of the Specified Plants) and in any period of 12
     consecutive months does not exceed $2,000,000 (exclusive of the Net
     Disposition Proceeds from the disposition of the Specified Plants); and

          (c) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
     to, consent to any amendment, supplement, amendment and restatement, waiver
     or other modification of any of the terms or provisions contained in, or
     applicable to, any Acquisition Document or any schedules, exhibits or
     agreements related thereto, in each case which would adversely affect the
     rights or remedies of the Lenders, or the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
     ability to perform hereunder or under any other Loan Document or which
     would increase the purchase price with respect to the New Acquisition, or,
     in the case of the Acquisition Document, which would increase the
     Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' obligations or liabilities,
     contingent or otherwise (other than adjustments to the purchase price made
     pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Document)."

          SECTION 1.23. Amendments to Section 10.4. Section 10.4 of the Credit
                        --------------------------
Agreement is amended by (i) adding the following language after the word
"Affiliates" appearing in the sixth line thereof: "(and, in the case of the
Term-C Lender, its participants)"; and (ii) adding the following language after
the term "Loan Document" appearing in clause (b) thereof: "(and, in the case of
the Term-C Lender's participants, the relevant participation agreement)."

          SECTION 1.24. Amendments to Section 10.11.2. Section 10.11.2 of the
                        -----------------------------
Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (d)
thereto, deleting the period at the end of clause (e) thereto and inserting ";
and" in lieu thereof and inserting a new clause (f) as follows:

                                       14
<PAGE>

          "(f) each Term-C Lender shall be entitled to sell a participation to
JLL Pasta, LLC pursuant to a participation agreement and JLL Pasta, LLC shall be
entitled only to the rights set forth in such participation agreement."

          SECTION 1.25. Amendments to Article X. Article X of the Credit
                        -----------------------
Agreement is amended by inserting a new Section 10.16 as follows:

          "SECTION 10.16. Lien Subordination. Each Term-C Lender agrees that any
                          ------------------
     Lien granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of such Lender to
     secure any Term-C Obligations shall be junior and subordinate to all other
     Liens granted under the Loan Documents to the extent set forth in Exhibit
                                                                       -------
     10.16 to the Second Amendment."
     -----

                                   ARTICLE II.

                        FEES; CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

          SECTION 2.1. Fees.
                       ----

          (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender consenting to this
Amendment on or before July 20, 2001 an amendment fee equal to .25% of the
outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans plus .25% of the
Revolving Loan Commitment Amount (computed before giving effect to this
Amendment) of such Lender (the "Amendment Fee"). Such fee shall be fully earned
                                -------------
and nonrefundable upon the Second Amendment Effective Date. The Borrower shall
pay the Amendment Fee to the Administrative Agent on the Second Amendment
Effective Date for the benefit of such consenting Lenders.

          (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its
own account, all fees and expenses due and payable in connection with this
Amendment and the participation agreement relating to the Term-C Loan.

          SECTION 2.2. Second Amendment Effective Date. This Amendment and the
                       -------------------------------
amendments contained herein shall be and become effective on the date (the
"Second Amendment Effective Date") (unless stated to become effective solely on
 -------------------------------
the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, in which case such amendments shall become
effective on the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date) when the Administrative Agent shall
have received the following:

          (a) counterparts of this Amendment, duly executed by and delivered on
     behalf of (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Required Lenders and (iii) Lenders
     holding 100% of the aggregate Term-C Commitments;

          (b) a copy of the resolutions of the Borrower authorizing the
     execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment, certified by the
     Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower, which certificate
     shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
     shall state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended,
     modified, revoked or rescinded; and

          (c) the Amendment Fee pursuant to Section 2.1 and any other fees or
expenses required to be paid in connection herewith.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III.

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the
                       ------------------------------
Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower
hereby represents and warrants to each Agent and each Lender, as of the date
hereof and as of the Term-C Loan Borrowing Date, as follows:

          (a) Good Standing and Power. The Borrower is duly organized, validly
              -----------------------
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (b) Corporate Authority. The Borrower has full corporate power and
              -------------------
authority to execute, deliver and perform this Amendment and the Amended Credit
Agreement and to incur the obligations provided for herein and therein, all of
which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary corporate action. No
consent or approval of stockholders is required as a condition to the validity
or performance or the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any
of its rights or remedies under the Amended Credit Agreement.

          (c) Authorizations. All authorizations, consents, approvals,
              --------------
registrations, notices, exemptions and licenses with or from governmental
authorities and other persons, if any, which are necessary for the execution and
delivery of this Amendment, the performance by the Borrower of its obligations
hereunder and under the Amended Credit Agreement and the exercise by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders of their respective rights and remedies
hereunder and thereunder, have been effected or obtained and are in full force
and effect.

          (d) Binding Agreements. This Amendment and the Amended Credit
              ------------------
Agreement constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrower
enforceable in accordance with their terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity
principles.

          (e) No Conflicts. There is no statute, regulation, rule, order or
              ------------
judgment, and no provision of any agreement or instrument binding on the
Borrower or affecting its properties and no provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower, which would prohibit, conflict with or
in any way prevent the execution, delivery, or performance of the terms of this
Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement or the incurrence of the obligations
provided for herein and therein, or result in or require the creation or
imposition of any lien, security interest or other encumbrance (other than in
favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders) on any of the
Borrower's properties as a consequence of the execution, delivery and
performance of this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

          (f) No Default. As of the date hereof, and after giving effect to this
              ----------
Amendment, there does not exist any Event of Default or event which, upon the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                                       16
<PAGE>

          (g) Acquisition Document. As of the date hereof, to the best knowledge
              --------------------
of the Borrower, the representations and warranties of the Sellers set forth in
the Acquisition Document are true and correct.

                                   ARTICLE IV.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 4.1. Full Force and Effect; Limited Amendment. Except as
                       ----------------------------------------
expressly modified hereby, all of the representations, warranties, terms,
covenants, conditions and other provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Notes
shall remain unamended and unwaived and shall continue to be, and shall remain,
in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms. The
amendments set forth herein shall be limited precisely as provided for herein to
the provisions expressly amended herein and shall not be deemed to be a waiver
to, consent to or modification of any other term or provision of the Credit
Agreement or any Note or of any transaction or further or future action which
would require the consent of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 4.2. Loan Document Pursuant to Credit Agreement;
                       -------------------------------------------
Confidentiality. This Amendment is executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and
---------------
shall be construed, administered and applied in accordance with all of the terms
and provisions of the Credit Agreement (and, following the Second Amendment
Effective Date, the Amended Credit Agreement). Any breach of any representation
or warranty or covenant or agreement contained in this Amendment shall be deemed
to be an Event of Default for all purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement. The
provisions of Section 10.15 of the Credit Agreement apply to this Amendment.

          SECTION 4.3. Fees and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay all reasonable
                       -----------------
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent in connection with the preparation,
negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the documents and
transactions contemplated hereby (including the participation agreement relating
to the Term-C Loan). The Borrower guarantees the payment of all amounts due by
the participant under the Subordination and Participation Agreement entered into
between the Term-C Lender and JLL Pasta LLC. This guarantee is an absolute and
unconditional guarantee of payment and not merely of collection. The obligations
of the Borrower under this guarantee shall constitute Obligations and the term
"Obligations" in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to
include such obligations of the Borrower. The Borrower waives all defenses
available to a surety. The Borrower shall pay such amounts immediately and the
Term-C Lender shall not be obligated to seek recourse against any other person
(including the participant thereunder) or any other asset before seeking
recourse against the Borrower. This guarantee shall survive payment in full of
the Obligations.

          SECTION 4.4. Headings. The various headings of this Amendment are
                       --------
inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of this Amendment or any provisions hereof.

                                       17
<PAGE>

          SECTION 4.5. Execution in Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed
                       -------------------------
by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement.

          SECTION 4.6. Cross-References. References in this Amendment to any
                       ----------------
Article or Section are, unless otherwise specified or otherwise required by the
context, to such Article or Section of this Amendment.

          SECTION 4.7. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding
                       ----------------------
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.

          SECTION 4.8. Revised Article 9 Amendments. Each Lender hereby
                       ----------------------------
authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into or amend additional or
existing Loan Documents to the extent it believes it is necessary or desirable
to do so to reflect changes to the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any
applicable jurisdiction.

          SECTION 4.9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A
                       -------------
CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                       18
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                         NEW WORLD PASTA COMPANY

                                         By: /s/ Wayne Robison
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Wayne Robison
                                             Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                    Treasurer

                                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
                                         as Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent
                                         and Letter of Credit Issuer

                                         By: /s/ James R. Trimble
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: James R. Trimble
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                      19
<PAGE>

                                         LENDERS:

                                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                                         By: /s/ James R. Trimble
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: James R. Trimble
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                         By: /s/ Richard R. Anderssen Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Richard R. Anderssen Jr.
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

                                         By: /s/ Larry Materi
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Larry Materi
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         By: /s/ Paul A. Dytrych
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Paul A. Dytrych
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                     Senior Relationship Manager

                                         ARES III CLO Ltd.

                                         By: ARES CLO Management, LLC
                                             Its: Investment Manager

                                         By: /s/ David A. Sachs
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: David A. Sachs
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                         By: /s/ W. Jerome McDermott
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: W. Jerome McDermott
                                             Title: Duly Authorized Signatory

                                      20
<PAGE>

                                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

                                         By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                         KEY BANK

                                         By: /s/ Michael D. Carroll
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Michael D. Carroll
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         BLACK DIAMOND CLO 1998-1 Ltd.

                                         By: /s/ John H. Cullinano
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: John H. Cullinano
                                             Title: Director

                                         WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

                                         By: /s/ Brad P. Solfest
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Brad P. Solfest
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO

                                         By: Boston Management and Research
                                             as Investment Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         EATON VANCE SENIOR INCOME TRUST

                                         By: Eaton Vance Management
                                             as Investment Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                             Title: Vice President

                                      21
<PAGE>

                                         EATON VANCE INSTITUTION SENIOR LOAN
                                         FUND

                                         By: Eaton Vance Management
                                             as Investment Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         OXFORD STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

                                         By: Eaton Vance Management
                                             as Investment Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Payson F. Swaffield
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Payson F. Swaffield
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         FOOTHILL INCOME TRUST, L.P.

                                         By: FIT GP, LLC, its General Partner

                                         By: /s/ Dennis R. Ascher
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Dennis R. Ascher
                                             Title: Managing Member

                                         KHZ WATERSIDE LLC

                                         By: /s/ Susan Lee
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Susan Lee
                                             Title: Authorized Agent

                                         AIM FLOATING RATE FUND

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Attorney in Fact

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                      20
<PAGE>

                                         AVALON CAPITAL LTD.

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Portfolio Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                         AVALON CAPITAL LTD. 2

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Portfolio Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                         AERIES FINANCE-II LTD.

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Sub-Managing Agent

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                         CERES II FINANCE LTD.

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Sub-Managing Agent
                                             (Financial)

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                      23
<PAGE>

                                         OASIS COLLATERALIZED HIGH INCOME
                                         PORTFOLIO-1, LTD.

                                         By: INVESCO Senior Secured Management,
                                             Inc. As Subadvisor

                                         By: /s/ Anne M. McCarthy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Anne M. McCarthy
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory

                                         PERSEUS CDO I, LIMITED

                                         By: MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                             COMPANY

                                         By: /s/ Mary S. Law
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Mary S. Law
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                         ESCROW ADMINISTRATION
                                         CONCENTRATE ACCOUNT

                                         By: MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                             COMPANY

                                         By: /s/ Mary S. Law
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Mary S. Law
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                         FREMONT INVESTMENT AND LOAN

                                         By: /s/ Randolph M. Ross
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Randolph M. Ross
                                             Title: Vice President - Senior
                                                    Portfolio Manager

                                      24
<PAGE>

                                         INDOSUEZ CAPITAL FUNDING IIA, LIMITED

                                         By: Indosuez Capital as Portfolio
                                             Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Melissa Marano
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Melissa Marano
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         INDOSUEZ CAPITAL FUNDING IV, L.P.

                                         By: Indosuez Capital as Portfolio
                                             Advisor

                                         By: /s/ Melissa Marano
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Melissa Marano
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         STEIN ROE & FARNHAM CLO I Ltd.,
                                         by Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
                                         As Portfolio Manager

                                         By: /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Kathleen A. Zarn
                                             Title: Vice President

                                         STEIN ROE FLOATING RATE LIMITED
                                         LIABILITY COMPANY

                                         By: /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Kathleen A. Zarn
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    Stein Roe & Farnham
                                                    Incorporated, as Advisor to
                                                    the Stein Roe Floating Rate
                                                    Limited Liability Company

                                         PPM AMERICA, INC., as attorney in fact,
                                         on behalf of Jackson National Life
                                         Insurance Company

                                         By:  /s/ Chris Kappas
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Chris Kappas
                                             Title: Vice President

                                      25
<PAGE>

                                         GALAXY CLO 1999-1, Ltd.

                                         By: SAI Investment Adviser, Inc.
                                             Its Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ Julie Bothamly
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Julie Bothamly
                                             Title: Authorized Agent

                                         MOUNTAIN CAPITAL CLO I, Ltd.

                                         By: MOUNTAIN CAPITAL

                                         By: /s/ Chris Siddons
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Chris Siddons
                                             Title: Director

                                         WINDSOR LOAN FUNDING, LIMITED

                                         By: Stanfield Capital Partners LLC
                                             as its Investment Manager

                                         By: /s/ Christopher A. Bondy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Christopher A. Bondy
                                             Title: Partner

                                         STANFIELD CLO LTD.

                                         By: Stanfield Capital Partners LLC
                                             as its Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ Christopher A. Bondy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Christopher A. Bondy
                                             Title: Partner

                                         STANFIELD/RMF TRANSATLANTIC CDO, LTD.

                                         By: Stanfield Capital Partner LLC
                                             as its Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ Christopher A. Bondy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Christopher A. Bondy
                                             Title: Partner

                                      26
<PAGE>

                                         STANFIELD ARBITRAGE CDO, LTD.

                                         By: Stanfield Capital Partner LLC
                                             as its Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ Christopher A. Bondy
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Christopher A. Bondy
                                             Title: Partner

                                         VAN KAMPEN CLO II, LIMITED

                                         By: VAN KAMPEN MANAGEMENT INC.,
                                             as Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ Darvin D. Pierce
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Darvin D. Pierce
                                             Title: Principal

                                         AG CAPITAL FUNDING PARTNERS, L.P.

                                         By: ANGELO GORDON & CO., L.P.
                                             as Investment Advisor

                                         By: /s/ John W. Fraser
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: John W. Fraser
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                         NORTHWOODS CAPITAL III, LIMITED

                                         By: ANGELO GORDON & CO., L.P.
                                             as Collateral Manager

                                         By: /s/ John W. Fraser
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: John W. Fraser
                                             Title: Managing Director

                                         CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                                         By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                      27

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