NEWS RELEASE

LEADING BRANDS, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST SHIPMENTS OF NEW BRAND SOY₂O™


VANCOUVER, CANADA, December 15, 2003, LEADING BRANDS, INC. (NASDAQ: LBIX), North America�s only fully integrated premium beverage company, announces that this past week it produced and commenced shipping its new beverage brand: Soy₂O™.

Soy₂O™ (pronounced �soy-two-oh�) is a unique blend of fruit flavored water and natural soy isoflavones. The �Evolution of Soy™�, Soy₂O™ is �Clearly refreshing without the soy taste™�. Soy₂O™ is crisp and clear in appearance. There is absolutely no hint that the product contains a healthy 20 mgs of soy in every 12 oz bottle. Initially the product line consists of four distinct new flavors: Blueberry Grape, Peach Mango, Strawberry Guava and Lemon Green Tea.

The Company will initially distribute in the United States, followed shortly thereafter by Canada.

We will continue to provide corporate updates in our monthly newsletter on the first of each month, starting again on February 1, 2004, posted at www.LBIX.com.�

We Build Brands™
About Leading Brands, Inc.

Leading Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: LBIX) is North America's only fully integrated premium beverage company. The Company's unique Integrated Distribution System™(IDS)™ offers turnkey, one-stop shopping to food and beverage brand owners, including product development, manufacturing, distribution, sales, marketing and licensing. In addition, Leading Brands produces their own line of beverages such as TREK™, Pez® 100% Juices™, Soy₂O™ Country Harvest® Juices, Caesar's® Bloody Caesar Cocktail, and Cool Canadian® Water.

Statements in this news release that are not historical are to be regarded as forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company's business include general economic conditions, weather conditions, changing beverage consumption trends, pricing, and the availability of raw materials and economic uncertainties, including currency.

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