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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179307-07-000015.txt : 20070109
<SEC-HEADER>0001179307-07-000015.hdr.sgml : 20070109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070109172848
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179307-07-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070107
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070109
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070109

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEAN FOODS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000931336
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ICE CREAM & FROZEN DESSERTS [2024]
		IRS NUMBER:				752559681
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE LB 30
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2143033400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE LB 30
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DEAN FOODS CO/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20011221

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SUIZA FOODS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941013

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McCRUMMEN RONALD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001302493

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12755
		FILM NUMBER:		07521304

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-303-3400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE, SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
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<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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        <issuerName>DEAN FOODS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
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            <rptOwnerName>McCRUMMEN RONALD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Accounting Officer</officerTitle>
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    </reportingOwner>

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        <derivativeHolding>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person was entitled to receive a total of 1,658 shares of common stock of the Issuer pursuant to the vesting provisions in the 2005 Award of Deferred Stock Units (&quot;DSUs&quot;).  A total of 541 shares were surrendered to satisfy tax obligations of the reporting person, resulting in the issuance of a total of 1,117 net shares of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">A Stock Unit, which is issued under the Company's 1989 Stock Awards Plan, is a right to receive one share of Common Stock of the Issuer in the future, subject to the terms and conditions of the award agreement.  The units vest annually, on a prorata basis, over a five-year period beginning on the first anniversary date of grant, subject to certain accelerated vesting provisions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The non-qualified stock options were issued under the Issuer's 1997 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, and vest annually, on a prorata basis, over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The incentive stock options were issued under the Issuer's 1997 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, and vest annually, on a prorata basis, over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald L. McCrummen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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