Carosella to lead enterprise-wide new product innovation strategies to
                     accelerate Dean Foods' future growth

DALLAS, April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF)
today announced that Debbie Carosella has joined the company as Senior Vice
President, Innovation, overseeing innovation strategies and initiatives for
Dean Dairy Group and WhiteWave Foods. Carosella brings more than 20 years of
experience to her role, including a track record of building brands and
product portfolios by transforming business and consumer insights into
strategic innovation programs — most recently at ConAgra Foods.

Carosella will be responsible for developing long-term new product
innovation strategies to accelerate Dean Foods’ future growth and increase
speed to market for new products. Specifically, she is charged with leading
the company’s efforts to identify, assess and develop new product solutions
that meet consumer and customer needs for dairy products and beverages.

“Dean Foods is fortunate to have an experienced innovator and leader in
Debbie Carosella,” stated Gregg Engles, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Dean Foods. “Debbie’s ability to manage fast-moving consumer
goods businesses, grow existing brands and develop new product and packaging
innovations will be invaluable to Dean Foods,” said Engles.

At ConAgra, Carosella served as Vice President, Strategic Marketing and
Innovation, where she created and implemented marketing, business development
and innovation strategies that drove long-term growth across ConAgra’s
consumer retail businesses. Before that post, she held executive positions
within the company’s Grocery Division, where she oversaw the development of
new product strategies and growth initiatives within the wellness and organic
arenas. Also at ConAgra, Carosella led a 40-member cross-functional team as
General Manager for the Meals Group, including Healthy Choice, La Choy,
Butterball, Banquet Homestyle Bakes and Chef Boyardee.

In addition to her food industry experience, Carosella worked in the
biotechnology and nutrition arenas where she oversaw business development for
new product platforms at Monsanto Company. She also worked in the nutrition
group as brand strategy and equity leader.

Carosella’s experience also includes extensive advertising agency and
consulting work. She spent the early part of her career at nationally
renowned agencies such as J. Walter Thompson, consulting for leading consumer
goods clients including Anheuser-Busch, Eagle Snacks, Nestle Confections,
Kraft and M&M Mars.

ABOUT DEAN FOODS

Dean Foods Company is one of the leading food and beverage companies in
the United States. Its Dairy Group division is the largest processor and
distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country, with products
sold under more than 50 familiar local and regional brands and a wide array of
private labels. The Company’s WhiteWave Foods subsidiary markets and sells a
variety of well-known dairy and dairy-related products, such as Silk(R)
soymilk, Horizon Organic(R) milk and other dairy products, and International
Delight(R) coffee creamers. WhiteWave Foods’ Rachel’s Organic(R) brand is the
second largest organic milk and organic yogurt brand in the United Kingdom.

    Media Contact:
    Marguerite Copel
    Vice President,
    Corporate Communications
    (214) 721-1273

    Investor Contact:
    Barry Sievert
    Senior Director,
    Investor Relations
    (214) 303-3437

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

CONTACT: Media, Marguerite Copel, Vice President, Corporate
Communications, +1-214-721-1273, or Investors, Barry Sievert, Senior Director,
Investor Relations, +1-214-303-3437, both for Dean Foods Company
Web site: http://www.deanfoods.com