Dean Foods Company and Horizon Organic Expect to Close Transaction in Early January 2004

DALLAS and BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Horizon
Organic Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: HCOW) Board of Directors today voted to
approve an extension of the merger agreement with Dean Foods Company
(NYSE: DF) to January 15, 2004. Dean Foods and Horizon Organic announced
today that they anticipate closing the merger transaction in early
January 2004.

A joint proxy will be mailed to Horizon Organic shareholders on or about
November 21, 2003, and Horizon Organic expects to hold its shareholder meeting
to vote on the transaction on December 18, 2003.

About Horizon Organic

Horizon Organic Holding Corporation markets the leading brand of certified
organic foods in the U.S. and the leading certified brand of organic milk in
both the U.S. and the U.K. In the U.S. its products include organic milk, a
full-line of organic dairy products, organic eggs and juices. In the U.K.,
the company markets organic yogurt, milk and butter under the Rachel’s Organic
brand. For more information, please visit the company’s web site at
www.horizonorganic.com .

About Dean Foods

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 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 36 U.S. states and Spain, and
employs approximately 28,000 people.

Note on Forward Looking Statements: The statements in this press release
regarding when the companies expect to complete the pending transaction are
“forward-looking” and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statement in
this press release speaks only as of the date of this release. Both companies
expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in their
expectations with regard thereto or any changes in the events, conditions or
circumstances on which such statements are based.

Contacts:

Horizon Organic: Jennifer J. Matuschek

Director of Investor Relations

303.530.2711 x178

Dean Foods:

Cory Olson

Senior Vice President and Treasurer

(214) 303-3645

P.I. Aquino

Assistant Treasurer

(214) 303-3437

SOURCE Dean Foods Company; Horizon Organic Holding Corporation 11/14/2003

CONTACT: Jennifer J. Matuschek, Director of Investor Relations of
Horizon Organic Holding Corporation, +1-303-530-2711, x178; or 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

Web site: https://www.deanfoods.com

http://www.horizonorganic.com

(DF HCOW)

CO: Dean Foods Company; Horizon Organic Holding Corporation

ST: Texas, Colorado

IN: FOD REA AGR

SU: TNM