1 Exhibit 21 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT Year Ended August 31, 1996 Wholly owned subsidiaries of the registrant are: Penford Products Co. incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware Edward Mendell Co., Inc. incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington Mendell U.K. Ltd. incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom Edward Mendell GmbH incorporated under the laws of Germany Edward Mendell Finland OY incorporated under the laws of Finland PENWEST Export Corporation All subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements. Page 41