8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

January 22, 2010

Dean Foods Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware	1-12755	75-2559681
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2515 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1200

Dallas, TX 75201

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (214) 303-3400

Not Applicable.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-49(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 22, 2010, Dean Foods Company issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This press release shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise incorporated by reference into any filing pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Dean Foods Company press release dated January 22, 2010.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 25, 2010	DEAN FOODS COMPANY
	By:	/S/    STEVEN J. KEMPS
		Steven J. Kemps Executive Vice President and General Counsel

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Dean Foods Company press release dated January 22, 2010.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

CONTACT:

Marguerite Copel

Corporate Communications

214-721-1273

Dean Foods to Vigorously Contest Justice Department Complaint

Says Acquisition of Wisconsin Plants Benefits Farmers and Customers

DALLAS, Texas, January 22, 2010 – Dean Foods (DF) announced that it was contesting a complaint filed today by the Department of Justice challenging its April 2009 acquisition of Foremost Farms. The company believes its acquisition of the DePere and Waukesha, Wis. fluid milk processing plants from Foremost is fully compliant with antitrust laws, and will defend itself vigorously against the complaint.

The company believes that, from the time of the acquisition almost a year ago, this transaction has benefitted Wisconsin dairy farmers by providing a stable and growing outlet for their milk. In addition, the transaction already has produced important cost savings that will benefit customers and spur competition in and around Wisconsin. It promises to deliver even greater customer benefits once the DePere and Waukesha plants are fully integrated into the Dean network.

The company believes an objective judicial review of the facts will reveal that competition is alive and flourishing in Wisconsin.

ABOUT DEAN FOODS

Dean Foods is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the United States. The Company’s Fresh Dairy Direct business is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country. The WhiteWave-Morningstar business produces and sells a variety of nationally branded soy, dairy and dairy-related products. Popular brands include: Silk® soymilk, Horizon Organic® milk and dairy products, International Delight® coffee creamers, and LAND O’LAKES® creamers. Additionally, the WhiteWave-Morningstar segment produces and sells private label cultured and extended shelf life dairy products through the Morningstar platform. Dean Foods’ business also includes Alpro®, the pan-European leader in branded soy food products.

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