<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-12.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>c65370ex12-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TEXT>
<PAGE>   1


                                                                  EXHIBIT 12.1


                               Dean Foods Company
                Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                  (In Millions)


                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                               August 26, 2001
                                                            ------------------
Income before taxes                                             $         20.8
                                                                --------------

Fixed charges:
     Interest expense                                                     16.6
     Portion of rentals (33%)                                              4.6
                                                                --------------

     Total fixed charges                                                  21.2
                                                                --------------

Earnings before taxes and  fixed charges                        $         42.0
                                                                ==============

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                                         2.0
                                                                ==============


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>