Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) today announced that Dr. George Muck, Vice President of Quality Assurance and Research Development, has decided to retire from Dean Foods, effective August 1, 2001. Dr. Muck will provide consulting support to the Company in matters of food safety, food research, FDA and dairy industry relations.

Dr. Muck has worked for Dean Foods for over 38 years. He started his career in our research staff in 1962, becoming Director of Research in 1967, and Vice President of Research and Development in 1970.

In making the announcement, Howard Dean commented, “Dean Foods has been very fortunate to have someone like George representing Dean Foods in the Quality Assurance and Research Development environment. He is well respected in the dairy industry and has proven to be a key leader in many of our initiatives concerning product development, dairy processing and food safety.”

Dean Foods is one of the nation’s leading dairy processors and distributors producing a full line of branded and private label products, including fluid milk, ice cream and extended shelf life products, which are sold under the Dean’s and other strong regional brand names. Dean Foods is the industry leader in other food products including pickles, powdered non- dairy coffee creamers, aseptically packaged foodservice products, and refrigerated dips and salad dressings.