DALLAS, March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF)
is providing an update on the previously announced special cash dividend of
$15.00 per share. The special dividend, which remains subject to the
completion of financing, is expected to be paid on April 2, 2007 to
shareholders of record as of March 27, 2007.

The total number of basic shares outstanding at the close of trading on
the record date of March 27, 2007 was 129.6 million, resulting in an expected
aggregate total dividend of approximately $1.94 billion.

Dean Foods common stock will start trading on an ex-dividend basis
beginning Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in accordance with NYSE rules. Any
shareholder of record as of March 27, 2007 who sells shares prior to or on the
payment date of April 2, 2007 also sells their right to receive the special
dividend.

Shareholders are advised to contact their financial advisor for advice
regarding their individual situations.

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
largest organic milk brand and third largest organic yogurt brand in the
United Kingdom.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release are “forward-looking” and are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These “forward-looking” statements include statements relating
to, among other things, our plans to pay the special dividend, the estimated
amount of the total size of the special dividend, and our plans to complete
the new credit facility. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that
may cause results to differ materially from the statements set forth in this
press release. Our ability to pay the special dividend will depend upon our
successful completion of the new credit facility. The forward-looking
statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this release.
The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in
its expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions
or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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

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

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

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