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             [THORN APPLE VALLEY, INC. CORPORATE OFFICE LETTERHEAD]

                                                                      EXHIBIT 99
     
                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                                                          Contact:  Joel Dorfman
                                                            Phone:  248.213.1000


THORN APPLE VALLEY FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 PROTECTION

     Thorn Apple Valley, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAVI) filed a petition for voluntary
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The filing will provide
the protection needed from existing liabilities and allow continuation of all
operations. Financial impact due to the collapse of the Russian Ruble for Thorn
Apple Valley's  export business in August and the actual costs and
uncertainties due to the listeria recall in January have resulted in current
creditor concerns and restrictions causing the need to seek protection. Thorn
Apple Valley is in the process of engaging the investment banking firm of Peter
J. Solomon & Co. to seek financing for the company or to seek to sell the assets
of the company, so that operation of the company can continue on a going concern
basis. Many well known successful companies, including Continental Airlines and
Dow Corning, have used protection under Chapter 11 to provide the time to
restructure and become stronger companies. 

     Thorn Apple Valley has always been committed to the safety and quality of
its products. On January 22, after consulting with the USDA, a voluntary recall 
was implemented to protect Thorn Apple Valley's consumers from the
potential risk of contamination. There have been no confirmed illnesses 
regarding product that was recalled. The unplanned financial impact of this 
recall is the primary reason for seeking Chapter 11 protection.

     "Because the number one commitment is to the safety of our consumers, and
     to be sure our retailers and wholesalers only have the best, safest
     products to sell, we voluntarily recalled our products," Joel Dorfman,
     President and CEO said. "This recall left us with a short-term cash problem
     that necessitated the filing for protection under Chapter 11. We expect
     this filing will allow us to continue to operate, meet our sales needs and
     provide for our more than 3,000 employees. We expect to resolve this issue
     and keep our operation together as a going concern."

     In response to the problems presented by the national listeria recall that
has impacted the entire industry, Thorn Apple Valley has undertaken an extensive
program through Kansas State University to assure that Thorn Apple Valley has
the most comprehensive food safety program in the world.

     Thorn Apple Valley is a manufacturer of processed meat products 
headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. Thorn Apple Valley has sales of about 
$500 million and employs over 3,000 people with plants in Michigan, North 
Carolina, Arkansas and Oklahoma.