DALLAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF)
announced today that its Morningstar Foods division received aseptic approval
from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for beverages produced on the
company’s Stork filler line in Mt. Crawford, Va. The Stork bottle filling
technology extends the shelf life of dairy-based beverages processed on this
line to 180 days and allows these products to be stored and shipped at ambient
temperatures.

Morningstar will begin leveraging the Stork technology by processing its
single-serve Hershey’s flavored milk and shake products and its Folgers Jakada
coffee beverages on this Stork line. The company also anticipates installing
another similar line in its City of Industry, Calif. facility later this year.

“We are very enthusiastic about the opportunities this technology for our
milk and soy-based products,” said Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive
officer of Dean Foods. “Gaining FDA approval will enable us to further expand
our distribution beyond traditional refrigerated channels for these products.”

The Stork aseptic technology includes pasteurization, homogenization,
bottle blow-molding and filling procedures conducted in a completely sterile
environment that earns the aseptic designation without the need for additives
or preservatives. Dean Foods is the first company to use the Stork plastic
bottle technology commercially for dairy-based beverages in the United States.

Dean Foods Company is one of the nation’s leading food and beverage
companies. The company produces a full line of company-branded and private
label dairy and dairy-related products such as milk and milk-based beverages,
ice cream, coffee creamers, half and half, whipping cream, whipped toppings,
sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, dips, dressings and soy milk. The company
is also a leading supplier of pickles and other specialty food products,
juice, juice drinks and water. The company operates over 120 plants in
38 U.S. states and Spain, and employs more than 30,000 people.

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, the company’s ability to successfully utilize its new
technology and equipment and the company’s ability to expand distribution and
increase demand for its products. These statements involve risks and
uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from the statements
set forth in this press release. The company’s ability to achieve expected
operating results depends on a variety of economic, competitive and
governmental factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control and which
are described in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. 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.

Contacts: Cory Olson

                Senior Vice President and Treasurer
                (214) 303-3645

                P.I. Aquino
                Assistant Treasurer
                (214) 303-3437

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

-0- 01/08/2003

/CONTACT: Cory Olson, Senior Vice President and Treasurer,
+1-214-303-3645, or P.I. Aquino, Assistant Treasurer, +1-214-303-3437, both of
Dean Foods Company/