10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012

or

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period from            to

Commission File Number 001-12755

Dean Foods Company

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	75-2559681
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

2711 North Haskell Avenue, Suite 3400

Dallas, Texas 75204

(214) 303-3400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the registrant’s principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer)”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of April 27, 2012, the number of shares outstanding of each class of common stock was: 184,500,938

Common Stock, par value $.01

Table of Contents

			Page
Part I — Financial Information
Item 1	—	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)		3
Item 2	—	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		32
Item 3	—	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		43
Item 4	—	Controls and Procedures		43
Part II — Other Information
Item 1	—	Legal Proceedings		44
Item 6	—	Exhibits		45
Signatures				46

2

Part I — Financial Information

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	130,309		$	114,851
Receivables, net		932,911			946,109
Income tax receivable		28,174			24,960
Inventories		476,252			452,150
Deferred income taxes		82,654			109,475
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		72,589			65,595
Assets held for sale		—			3,182
Total current assets		1,722,889			1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,083,432			2,114,380
Goodwill		1,160,221			1,155,271
Deferred income taxes		25,507			—
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		766,583			768,390
Total	$	5,758,632		$	5,754,363
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,173,221		$	1,232,165
Current portion of debt		253,661			202,539
Current portion of litigation settlements		—			60,838
Total current liabilities		1,426,882			1,495,542
Long-term debt		3,564,079			3,563,389
Deferred income taxes		329,752			292,539
Other long-term liabilities		418,126			428,544
Long-term litigation settlements		72,525			73,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ deficit:
Dean Foods Company stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, none issued		—			—
Common stock, 184,499,684 and 183,745,789 shares issued and outstanding, with a par value of $0.01 per share		1,845			1,837
Additional paid-in capital		1,079,831			1,086,804
Accumulated deficit		(954,636	)		(992,519	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(179,772	)		(199,520	)
Total Dean Foods Company stockholders’ deficit		(52,732	)		(103,398	)
Non-controlling interest		—			4,747
Total stockholders’ deficit		(52,732	)		(98,651	)
Total	$	5,758,632		$	5,754,363

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
Net sales	$	3,214,094	$	3,049,854
Cost of sales		2,426,241		2,299,572
Gross profit		787,853		750,282
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution		504,235		485,802
General and administrative		129,505		164,662
Amortization of intangibles		2,285		2,738
Facility closing and reorganization costs		28,822		10,643
Other operating income		—		(19,490	)
Total operating costs and expenses		664,847		644,355
Operating income		123,006		105,927
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense		60,747		65,270
Other (income) expense, net		554		(48	)
Total other expense		61,301		65,222
Income before income taxes		61,705		40,705
Income taxes		23,822		17,323
Net income		37,883		23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Average common shares:
Basic		184,104,804		182,817,066
Diluted		184,947,681		183,292,877
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.21	$	0.14
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.20	$	0.14

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Other comprehensive income:
Cumulative translation adjustment		13,303		27,418
Net change in fair value of derivative instruments		4,726		12,100
Net pension and other postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax		1,719		1,541
Other comprehensive income		19,748		41,059
Comprehensive income		57,631		64,441
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—		1,881
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	57,631	$	66,322

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

	Dean Foods Company Stockholders
	Common Stock						Retained		Accumulated		Non- controlling Interest		Total Stockholders’ Deficit
	Shares		Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital		Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2011		183,745,789	$	1,837	$	1,086,804	$	(992,519)	$	(199,520)	$	4,747	$	(98,651)
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation		753,895		8		(8,603)		—		—		—		(8,595)
Share-based compensation expense		—		—		1,630		—		—		—		1,630
Wind-down of joint venture		—		—		—		—		—		(4,747)		(4,747)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		—		—		—		37,883		—		—		37,883
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $2,923		—		—		—		—		(4,363)		—		(4,363)
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax of $6,060		—		—		—		—		9,089		—		9,089
Cumulative translation adjustment		—		—		—		—		13,303		—		13,303
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax of $1,370		—		—		—		—		1,719		—		1,719
Balance, March 31, 2012		184,499,684	$	1,845	$	1,079,831	$	(954,636)	$	(179,772)	$	—	$	(52,732)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

	Dean Foods Company Stockholders
	Common Stock									Accumulated			Non- controlling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares		Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2010		182,255,334	$	1,823	$	1,061,253		$	583,102	$	(146,653	)	$	14,543		$	1,514,068
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation		930,032		9		(6,887	)		—		—			—			(6,878	)
Share-based compensation expense		—		—		8,392			—		—			—			8,392
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		—		—		—			—		—			2,913			2,913
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		—		—			—		—			(1,881	)		(1,881	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		—		—		—			25,263		—			—			25,263
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax of $882		—		—		—			—		1,581			—			1,581
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax of $5,469		—		—		—			—		10,519			—			10,519
Cumulative translation adjustment		—		—		—			—		27,418			—			27,418
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax of $1,007		—		—		—			—		1,541			—			1,541
Balance, March 31, 2011		183,185,366	$	1,832	$	1,062,758		$	608,365	$	(105,594	)	$	15,575		$	1,582,936

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	37,883		$	23,382
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		70,930			72,324
Share-based compensation expense		3,412			9,105
(Gain) loss on divestitures and other, net		14,725			(11,525	)
Deferred income taxes		29,097			(5,383	)
Other		2,255			9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		14,861			(39,902	)
Inventories		(23,646	)		(41,096	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,237	)		(3,085	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(76,944	)		11,996
Income taxes receivable/payable		(6,789	)		21,358
Litigation settlements		(61,325	)		—
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,222			37,183
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(44,517	)		(40,411	)
Proceeds from insurance claims		2,996			—
Proceeds from divestitures		—			91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		1,554			1,807
Other, net		(790	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(40,757	)		53,176
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt		(13,386	)		(105,937	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		633,100			1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(587,600	)		(1,063,900	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		874,490			1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		(855,000	)		(1,105,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(2,255	)		(580	)
Tax savings on share-based compensation		286			—
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		—			2,913
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		49,635			(76,704	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		3,358			2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		15,458			16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		114,851			92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	130,309		$	108,609

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

1. General

Nature of Our Business — We are a leading food and beverage company in the United States, as well as a global leader in branded plant-based beverages, such as soy, almond and coconut milks, and other plant-based food products. We align our leadership teams, operating strategies and supply chain initiatives around our three lines of business: Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar.

Fresh Dairy Direct is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the United States, with products such as milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products sold under more than 50 familiar local and regional brands and a wide array of private labels.

WhiteWave-Alpro markets and sells a variety of nationally branded value-added dairy products, such as Horizon Organic^® milk; nationally branded coffee creamers and beverages, including International Delight^® and LAND O LAKES^®; and nationally and internationally branded plant-based foods and beverages, such as Silk ^® soy, almond and coconut milks, and Alpro^® and Provamel^® soy, almond and hazelnut drinks and food products.

Morningstar is a leading U.S. manufacturer of extended shelf life (“ESL”) creams and creamers, beverages and cultured dairy products with an emphasis on foodservice and private label retail customers. These products include half and half, whipping cream, ice cream mix, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese and are sold under a wide array of private labels and the Friendship™ brand.

Basis of Presentation —The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared on the same basis as the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2012. In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) in order to present fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been omitted. Our results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2012 may not be indicative of our operating results for the full year. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Dean Foods Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

During the first quarter of 2012 we completed the shutdown of the operations of our 50% owned joint venture between WhiteWave and Hero Group, which was part of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment. For the three months ended and as of March 31, 2012, the joint venture’s operations were immaterial and only an immaterial amount of assets remain as part of our investment. We may incur additional charges related to our final settlement with Hero Group.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, changed the way he determines strategy and investment plans for our operations. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar operations were separated so that our three reporting segments now consist of Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar. This change reflects the divergence between the go-to-market strategies, customer bases and objectives of our businesses and reflects a change in how we expect to deploy our capital in the future. We believe these revised segments have increased internal focus and offered management and investors improved visibility into the performance of the segments against their specific objectives. All segment results set forth herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated net sales or operating income.

2. Divestitures

In the fourth quarter of 2010, we entered into two separate agreements to sell our Mountain High and private label yogurt operations. The Mountain High yogurt operations were part of our Fresh Dairy Direct segment, and the private label operations were part of our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar segments. The divestiture of our yogurt operations was completed in the first and second quarters of 2011, with all sales proceeds applied towards debt reduction, including the full repayment of the then outstanding 2012 tranche A term loan borrowings.

In the first quarter of 2011, we committed to a plan to sell the fluid milk operations at our Fresh Dairy Direct manufacturing facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin (“Waukesha”) as a result of the settlement of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) civil action related to our acquisition of the Consumer Products Division of Foremost Farms USA in April 2009. On September 8, 2011, we completed the sale of our Waukesha facility.

9

We recorded a net pre-tax gain of $19.5 million during the first quarter of 2011 related to the divestiture of our Mountain High operations and the write-down of our Waukesha operations. The gain was recorded in other operating income in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

3. Inventories

Inventories, net of reserves of $3.3 million and $3.6 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Raw materials and supplies	$	197,935	$	198,579
Finished goods		278,317		253,571
Total	$	476,252	$	452,150

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:

	Fresh Dairy Direct		WhiteWave- Alpro		Morningstar		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	86,841	$	762,336	$	306,094	$	1,155,271
Foreign currency translation		—		4,950		—		4,950
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	86,841	$	767,286	$	306,094	$	1,160,221

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets other than goodwill as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

	March 31, 2012							December 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trademarks(1)	$	589,375	$	—		$	589,375	$	586,663	$	—		$	586,663
Intangible assets with finite lives:
Customer-related and other		132,655		(55,800	)		76,855		131,751		(53,652	)		78,099
Trademarks		10,564		(5,204	)		5,360		10,564		(4,938	)		5,626
Total	$	732,594	$	(61,004	)	$	671,590	$	728,978	$	(58,590	)	$	670,388

(1) The increase in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived trademarks between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 is the result of foreign currency translation adjustments.

10

Amortization expense on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $2.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Estimated aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in millions):

2012	$	9.3
2013		9.2
2014		8.6
2015		8.5
2016		8.4

5. Debt

Our outstanding debt as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2012						December 31, 2011
	Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate			Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Dean Foods Company debt obligations:
Senior secured credit facility	$	2,509,326			2.77	%*	$	2,477,160			3.00	%*
Senior notes due 2016		499,010			7.00			498,959			7.00
Senior notes due 2018		400,000			9.75			400,000			9.75
		3,408,336						3,376,119
Subsidiary debt obligations:
Senior notes due 2017		129,543			6.90			129,117			6.90
Receivables-backed facility		279,490			1.25	**		260,000			1.31	**
Capital lease obligations and other		371						692
Alpro revolving credit facility		—						—
		409,404						389,809
		3,817,740						3,765,928
Less current portion		(253,661	)					(202,539	)
Total long-term portion	$	3,564,079					$	3,563,389

* Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, term loan A and term loan B.

** Represents a weighted-average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for indebtedness outstanding under the receivables securitization facility.

The scheduled maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

	Total			Term Loan A		Term Loan B			Other*
2012	$	195,689		$	160,481	$	13,256		$	21,952
2013		511,319			213,975		17,675			279,669
2014		1,076,054			276,384		676,230			123,440
2015		10,535			—		10,535			—
2016		970,923			—		470,923			500,000
Thereafter		1,066,667			—		524,667	**		542,000
Subtotal		3,831,187			650,840		1,713,286			1,467,061
Less discounts		(13,447	)		—		—			(13,447	)
Total outstanding debt	$	3,817,740		$	650,840	$	1,713,286		$	1,453,614

* Includes our senior secured revolving credit facility, receivables-backed facility, Dean Foods Company senior notes, subsidiary senior notes, capital lease obligations and other debt.

** The scheduled maturity of a portion of term loan B is April 2, 2017, subject to the condition that we meet certain leverage, debt, cash or credit rating tests as of December 31, 2015. However, if at least one of these tests is not met, the maturity date for this portion of term loan B will be April 2, 2016.

11

Senior Secured Credit Facility — Our senior secured credit facility consists of an original combination of a $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility, a $1.5 billion five-year term loan A and a $1.8 billion seven-year term loan B. In June 2010, we amended and restated the agreement governing the senior secured credit facility, and entered into a further amendment in December 2010, which included extension of the maturity dates for certain principal amounts, amendment of the maximum permitted leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio and the addition of a senior secured leverage ratio (each as defined in our credit agreement), and the amendment of certain other terms. At March 31, 2012, there were outstanding borrowings of $651 million under the term loan A, $1.71 billion under the term loan B and $145 million under the revolving credit facility. Our average daily balance under the revolving credit facility during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $109.0 million. Letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $2.2 million were issued under the revolving credit facility but undrawn.

Effective April 2, 2012, pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated credit agreement dated June 30, 2010, the total commitment amount available to us under the senior secured revolving credit facility decreased from $1.5 billion to $1.275 billion, and any principal borrowings on a pro rata basis related to the $225 million of non-extended revolving credit facility commitments became payable. No principal payments are due on the remaining revolving credit facility commitments until April 2, 2014. The amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility is available for the issuance of up to $350 million of letters of credit and up to $150 million of swing line loans. Our credit agreement requires mandatory principal prepayments upon the occurrence of certain asset sales (provided that such sales, in total, exceed $250 million in any fiscal year), recovery events or as a result of exceeding certain leverage limits.

Our credit agreement permits us to complete acquisitions that meet all of the following conditions without obtaining prior approval: (1) the acquired company is involved in the manufacture, processing and distribution of food or packaging products or any other line of business in which we were engaged as of April 2007; (2) the net cash purchase price for any single acquisition is not greater than $500 million and not greater than $100 million if our leverage ratio is greater than 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis; (3) we acquire at least 51% of the acquired entity; (4) the transaction is approved by the board of directors or shareholders, as appropriate, of the target; and (5) after giving effect to such acquisition on a pro-forma basis, we would have been in compliance with all financial covenants. All other acquisitions must be approved in advance by the required lenders.

The senior secured credit facility contains limitations on liens, investments and the incurrence of additional indebtedness, prohibits certain dispositions of property and restricts certain payments, including dividends. There are no restrictions on these certain payments, including dividends, when our leverage ratio is below 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis. The senior secured credit facility is secured by liens on substantially all of our domestic assets, including the assets of our domestic subsidiaries, but excluding the capital stock of subsidiaries of the former Dean Foods Company (“Legacy Dean”), the real property owned by Legacy Dean and its subsidiaries, and accounts receivable associated with the receivables-backed facility.

The credit agreement contains standard default triggers, including without limitation: failure to maintain compliance with the financial and other covenants contained in the credit agreement, default on certain of our other debt, a change in control and certain other material adverse changes in our business. The credit agreement does not contain any requirements to maintain specific credit rating levels, except as described above with respect to determining the maturity date for the 2017 tranche of term loan B.

Receivables-Backed Facility — We have a $600 million receivables securitization facility pursuant to which certain of our subsidiaries sell their accounts receivable to four wholly-owned entities intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The entities then transfer the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial institutions. The assets and liabilities of these four entities are fully reflected in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the securitization is treated as a borrowing for accounting purposes. The receivables-backed facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit of up to $300 million.

The total amount of receivables sold to these entities as of March 31, 2012 was $886.9 million. During the first quarter of 2012, we borrowed $874.5 million and subsequently repaid $855.0 million under the facility with a remaining drawn balance of $279.5 million at March 31, 2012, excluding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $245.5 million that were issued but undrawn. Our average daily balance under this facility during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $271.2 million. The receivables-backed facility bears interest at a variable rate based upon commercial paper and one-month LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin. Our ability to re-borrow under this facility is subject to a monthly borrowing base formula. Based on this formula, we could fully access the $600 million commitment as of March 31, 2012.

12

As discussed in Note 11, on February 14, 2012, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted preliminary approval of our settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions. As part of the proposed settlement agreement, on February 21, 2012 we issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million, representing the subsequent payments due under the terms of the settlement agreement.

We are currently in compliance with all covenants under our credit agreements, and based on our internal projections we expect to maintain such compliance for the foreseeable future.

Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2018 — On December 16, 2010, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 9.75% senior unsecured notes in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers and in offshore transactions, and on August 3, 2011, we exchanged $400 million of the senior notes for new notes that are registered under the Securities Act and do not have restrictions on transfer, rights to special interest or registration rights. These notes are our senior unsecured obligations and mature on December 15, 2018 with interest payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The indenture under which we issued the senior notes due 2018 does not contain financial covenants but does contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain indebtedness, enter into sale-leaseback transactions and engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $400.0 million.

Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2016 — On May 17, 2006, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.0% senior unsecured notes. The senior unsecured notes mature on June 1, 2016, and interest is payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The indenture under which we issued the senior notes due 2016 does not contain financial covenants but does contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain indebtedness, enter into sale-leaseback transactions and engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $499.0 million.

Subsidiary Senior Notes due 2017 — Legacy Dean had certain senior notes outstanding at the time of its acquisition, of which one series ($142 million aggregate principal amount) remains outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $129.5 million at 6.90% interest. The indenture governing the Legacy Dean senior notes does not contain financial covenants but does contain certain restrictions, including a prohibition against Legacy Dean and its subsidiaries granting liens on certain of their real property interests and a prohibition against Legacy Dean granting liens on the stock of its subsidiaries. The Legacy Dean senior notes are not guaranteed by Dean Foods Company or Legacy Dean’s wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Capital Lease Obligations and Other — Capital lease obligations and other subsidiary debt includes various promissory notes for financing the purchase of property, plant and equipment and capital lease obligations. The various promissory notes payable provide for interest at varying rates and are payable in periodic installments of principal and interest until maturity, when the remaining principal balances are due. Capital lease obligations represent machinery and equipment financing obligations, which are payable in periodic installments of principal and interest and are collateralized by the related assets financed. See Note 11.

Alpro Revolving Credit Facility —Alpro Comm VA has a multicurrency revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of €1 million (or its currency equivalent). The facility is unsecured and is guaranteed by Dean Foods Company and various Alpro Comm VA subsidiaries. Proceeds under the facility may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of Alpro Comm VA. The subsidiary revolving credit facility is available for the issuance of up to €1 million (or its currency equivalent) of letters of credit. No principal payments are due under the subsidiary revolving credit facility until maturity on July 2, 2012. At March 31, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

Interest Rate Agreements — See Note 6 for information related to interest rate swap arrangements associated with our debt.

Guarantor Information — The 2016 and 2018 senior notes described above are our unsecured obligations and are fully and unconditionally, joint and severally guaranteed by substantially all of our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries other than our receivables securitization subsidiaries.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Dean Foods Company (“Parent”), the wholly-owned subsidiary guarantors of the senior notes and separately the combined results of the wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not a party to the guarantees. The wholly-owned non-guarantor subsidiaries reflect certain foreign and other operations, including our Hero/WhiteWave joint venture for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and as of December 31, 2011, in addition to our receivables securitization subsidiaries.

13

As disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have restated the presentation of our condensed guarantor financial information to correct certain errors. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2011 shown below has been restated to properly reflect the investment in and equity earnings of the non-guarantor subsidiaries by certain guarantor subsidiaries in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, which were previously only presented in the Parent column. We have also restated amounts previously disclosed to (i) properly present the equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries in the Parent column which was previously presented in pre-tax income from subsidiaries and non-controlling interest, (ii) properly reflect guarantor subsidiaries’ cash flows from operations which were included in the Parent column and correct the associated intercompany balances, and (iii) properly reflect the allocation of certain deferred income taxes and other current and long-term tax liabilities from the Parent column to the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries columns in the corresponding changes to cash flows from operating and financing activities. These corrections had no impact on consolidated results as previously reported.

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,534		$	—	$	118,775	$	—		$	130,309
Receivables, net		793			63,203		868,915		—			932,911
Income tax receivable		28,152			—		22		—			28,174
Inventories		—			449,642		26,610		—			476,252
Intercompany receivables		5,979			4,809,045		—		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			70,723		—		(70,723	)		—
Other current assets		24,968			119,185		11,090		—			155,243
Total current assets		71,426			5,511,798		1,025,412		(4,885,747	)		1,722,889
Property, plant and equipment, net		751			1,898,694		183,987		—			2,083,432
Goodwill		—			993,249		166,972		—			1,160,221
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		113,035			566,763		112,292		—			792,090
Investment in subsidiaries		7,862,861			503,325		—		(8,366,186	)		—
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	150,601		$	942,828	$	79,792	$	—		$	1,173,221
Intercompany payables		4,350,657			—		464,367		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note payable		—			—		70,723		(70,723	)		—
Current portion of debt		253,408			253		—		—			253,661
Total current liabilities		4,754,666			943,081		614,882		(4,885,747	)		1,426,882
Long-term debt		3,154,927			129,662		279,490		—			3,564,079
Other long-term liabilities		118,687			538,225		90,966		—			747,878
Long-term litigation settlement		72,525			—		—		—			72,525
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)		(52,732	)		7,862,861		503,325		(8,366,186	)		(52,732	)
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632

14

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,061		$	6,221	$	105,569	$	—		$	114,851
Receivables, net		104			61,156		884,849		—			946,109
Income tax receivable		24,934			—		26		—			24,960
Inventories		—			426,126		26,024		—			452,150
Intercompany receivables		—			4,821,647		—		(4,821,647	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			125,000		—		(125,000	)		—
Other current assets		44,779			117,952		12,339		—			175,070
Assets held for sale		—			—		3,182		—			3,182
Total current assets		72,878			5,558,102		1,031,989		(4,946,647	)		1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net		413			1,931,787		182,180		—			2,114,380
Goodwill		—			993,250		162,021		—			1,155,271
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		69,904			587,442		111,044		—			768,390
Investment in subsidiaries		7,738,221			356,983		—		(8,095,204	)		—
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	148,543		$	1,012,736	$	70,886	$	—		$	1,232,165
Intercompany payables		4,245,143			—		576,504		(4,821,647	)		—
Current portion of debt		202,012			259		268		—			202,539
Intercompany note payable		—			—		125,000		(125,000	)		—
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838			—		—		—			60,838
Total current liabilities		4,656,536			1,012,995		772,658		(4,946,647	)		1,495,542
Long-term debt		3,174,107			129,282		260,000		—			3,563,389
Other long-term liabilities		81,171			547,066		92,846		—			721,083
Long-term litigation settlements		73,000			—		—		—			73,000
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Dean Foods Company stockholders’ equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		356,983		(8,095,204	)		(103,398	)
Non-controlling interest		—			—		4,747		—			4,747
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		361,730		(8,095,204	)		(98,651	)
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363

15

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	3,116,724	$	97,370		$	—		$	3,214,094
Cost of sales		—			2,369,974		56,267			—			2,426,241
Gross profit		—			746,750		41,103			—			787,853
Selling and distribution		—			477,477		26,758			—			504,235
General and administrative		2,880			116,388		10,237			—			129,505
Amortization of intangibles		—			1,954		331			—			2,285
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			28,822		—			—			28,822
Interest expense		56,383			2,346		2,018			—			60,747
Other (income) expense, net		(2,900	)		2,997		457			—			554
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(56,363	)		116,766		1,302			—			61,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		(21,551	)		46,009		(636	)		—			23,822
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(34,812	)		70,757		1,938			—			37,883
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		72,695			1,938		—			(74,633	)		—
Net income		37,883			72,695		1,938			(74,633	)		37,883
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		6,464			132		13,152			—			19,748
Comprehensive income	$	44,347		$	72,827	$	15,090		$	(74,633	)	$	57,631

16

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated						As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	2,949,860		$	2,949,860		$	99,994		$	—		$	—		$	3,049,854
Cost of sales		—			—			2,241,436			2,241,436			58,136			—			—			2,299,572
Gross profit		—			—			708,424			708,424			41,858			—			—			750,282
Selling and distribution		—			—			459,019			459,019			26,783			—			—			485,802
General and administrative		2,659			2,659			152,463			152,463			12,278			—			—			167,400
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			—			10,643			10,643			—			—			—			10,643
Other operating income		—			—			(19,490	)		(19,490	)		—			—			—			(19,490	)
Interest expense		62,321			62,321			2,778			2,778			171			—			—			65,270
Other (income) expense, net		(2,700	)		(2,700	)		3,199			3,199			(547	)		—			—			(48	)
Income from subsidiaries		(102,985	)		—			—			—			—			102,985			—			—
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		40,705			(62,280	)		99,812			99,812			3,173			(102,985	)		—			40,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,323			(25,177	)		42,477			42,477			23			(42,500	)		—			17,323
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		23,382			(37,103	)		57,335			57,335			3,150			(60,485	)		—			23,382
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		—			62,366			—			5,031			—			—			(67,397	)		—
Net income		23,382			25,263			57,335			62,366			3,150			(60,485	)		(67,397	)		23,382
Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest		1,881			—			—			—			1,881			(1,881	)		—			1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	25,263		$	25,263		$	57,335		$	62,366		$	5,031		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,658			13,658			111			111			27,290			—			—			41,059
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	38,921		$	38,921		$	57,446		$	62,477		$	32,321		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	66,322

17

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(79,145	)	$	53,993		$	28,374		$	3,222
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			(42,658	)		(1,859	)		(44,517	)
Proceeds from insurance claims		—			2,996			—			2,996
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			1,554			—			1,554
Other, net		—			(275	)		(515	)		(790	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			(38,383	)		(2,374	)		(40,757	)
Repayment of debt		(13,335	)		(51	)		—			(13,386	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		633,100			—			—			633,100
Payments for senior secured revolver		(587,600	)		—			—			(587,600	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			874,490			874,490
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			(855,000	)		(855,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(2,255	)		—			—			(2,255	)
Tax savings on share-based compensation		286			—			—			286
Net change in intercompany balances		57,422			(21,780	)		(35,642	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		87,618			(21,831	)		(16,152	)		49,635
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			3,358			3,358
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		8,473			(6,221	)		13,206			15,458
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,061			6,221			105,569			114,851
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,534		$	—		$	118,775		$	130,309

18

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	43,906		$	(12,058	)	$	36,391		$	92,556		$	(43,114	)	$	(43,315	)	$	37,183
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			—			(36,442	)		(36,442	)		(3,969	)		(3,969	)		(40,411	)
Proceeds from divestitures		—			—			91,780			91,780			—			—			91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			—			1,767			1,767			40			40			1,807
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			—			57,105			57,105			(3,929	)		(3,929	)		53,176
Repayment of debt		(101,625	)		(101,625	)		(4,056	)		(4,056	)		(256	)		(256	)		(105,937	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		1,090,800			1,090,800			—			—			—			—			1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(1,063,900)			(1,063,900	)		—			—			—			—			(1,063,900	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			1,105,000			1,105,000			1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(580	)		(580	)		—			—			—			—			(580	)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		—			—			—			—			2,913			2,913			2,913
Net change in intercompany balances		43,087			99,051			(88,629	)		(144,794	)		45,542			45,743			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(32,218	)		23,746			(92,685	)		(148,850	)		48,199			48,400			(76,704	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			—			2,947			2,947			2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		11,688			11,688			811			811			4,103			4,103			16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		307			307			9,750			9,750			81,950			81,950			92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,995		$	11,995		$	10,561		$	10,561		$	86,053		$	86,053		$	108,609

19

6. Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest Rates — We have interest rate swap agreements in place that have been designated as cash flow hedges against variable interest rate exposure on a portion of our debt, with the objective of minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations and stabilizing cash flows. These swap agreements provide hedges for interest on our senior secured credit facility by fixing the LIBOR component of interest rates specified in the senior secured credit facility at the interest rates noted below until the indicated expiration dates of these interest rate swap agreements.

The following table summarizes our various interest rate agreements in effect as of March 31, 2012:

Fixed Interest Rates	Expiration Date	Notional Amounts
		(In millions)
0.415% to 0.418%(1)	December 31, 2012	$	500
1.60% to 1.84%	December 31, 2013		800
2.75% to 2.84%	March 31, 2016		200
2.70% to 3.17%	March 31, 2017		650

(1) In September 2011, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an effective date of December 30, 2011. The notional amounts of the swap agreements decreased by $400 million on March 30, 2012 and the remaining notional amounts shown in the table above expire on December 31, 2012.

These swaps are recorded as an asset or liability on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with an offset to other comprehensive income to the extent the hedge is effective. Derivative gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffectiveness in our hedges is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense. There was no hedge ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

We are exposed to market risk under these arrangements due to the possibility of interest rates on our senior secured credit facility rising above the fixed rates in our interest rate swap agreements. Credit risk under these arrangements is believed to be remote as the counterparties to our interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions; however, if any of the counterparties to our hedging arrangements become unable to fulfill their obligation to us, we may lose the financial benefits of these arrangements.

Commodities — We are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, including milk, organic and non-genetically modified (“non-GMO”) soybeans, butterfat, sweeteners and other commodity costs used in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of our products, such as, natural gas, resin and diesel fuel. To secure adequate supplies of materials and bring greater stability to the cost of ingredients and their related manufacturing, packaging and distribution, we routinely enter into forward purchase contracts and other purchase arrangements with suppliers. Under the forward purchase contracts, we commit to purchasing agreed-upon quantities of ingredients and commodities at agreed-upon prices at specified future dates. The outstanding purchase commitment for these commodities at any point in time typically ranges from one month’s to one year’s anticipated requirements, depending on the ingredient or commodity. These contracts are considered normal purchases.

In addition to entering into forward purchase contracts, from time to time we may purchase over-the-counter contracts from our qualified banking partners or enter into exchange-traded commodity futures contracts for raw materials that are ingredients of our products or components of such ingredients. Certain of the contracts offset the risk of increases in our commodity costs and are designated as cash flow hedges when appropriate. Additionally, from time to time we enter into derivative contracts with approved counterparties that are designated as hedging instruments against the risk of changes in the fair value of a portion of our butter inventory. These contracts are marked to market at each reporting period and any resulting gains or losses on the derivative instruments, as well as the offsetting gains or losses on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in earnings in the same period. There was no material hedge ineffectiveness related to our commodities contracts designated as hedging instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Other contracts may be executed related to certain customer pricing arrangements. We have not designated such contracts as hedging instruments; therefore, the contracts are marked to market at each reporting period, and a derivative asset or liability is recorded on our balance sheet.

A summary of our open commodities contracts recorded at fair value in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is included in the table below.

20

Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity price fluctuation, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic benefits we derive from these strategies.

Foreign Currency — Sales in foreign countries, as well as certain expenses related to those sales, are transacted in currencies other than our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk is primarily limited to the euro and the British pound. We may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates or enter into forward currency exchange contracts to hedge our net investment and intercompany payable or receivable balances in foreign operations. Additionally, in anticipation of repatriating approximately €55 million from our foreign operations, we entered into a forward contract to purchase $70 million, to be delivered in the second quarter of 2012, to mitigate potential currency fluctuations as we take steps to mobilize the funds. This derivative instrument was not designated as a hedging instrument, and changes in fair value of the instrument are recognized immediately in other operating (income) expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See the table below for a summary of the foreign currency related financial instruments outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our derivatives recorded at fair value in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	Derivative Assets				Derivative Liabilities
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts — current(1)	$	—	$	—	$	34,570	$	38,260
Interest rate swap contracts — noncurrent(2)		—		—		58,814		64,037
Commodities contracts — current(1)		767		93		2,962		2,346
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		196		411		—		—
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Commodities contracts — current(1)		6,721		2,006		5,996		1,530
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		—		—		2,939		—
Total derivatives	$	7,684	$	2,510	$	105,281	$	106,173

(1) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in identifiable intangible and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were:

	March 31, 2012		March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Losses on interest rate swap contracts(1)	$	13,996	$	17,040
(Gains)/Losses on commodities contracts(2)		1,136		(1,052	)
Losses on foreign currency contracts(3)		17		—

(1) Recorded in interest expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2) Recorded in distribution expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Recorded in cost of sales in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Based on current interest rates, commodity prices and exchange rates, we estimate that $34.6 million of hedging activity related to our interest rate swaps, $3.4 million of hedging activity related to our commodities contracts and $0.2 million of hedging activity related to our foreign currency contracts will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income within the next 12 months.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions, we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

• Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

	Fair Value as of March 31, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	93,384	$	—	$	93,384	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		7,489		—		7,489		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		8,958		—		8,958		—
Asset — Foreign currency contracts		196		—		196		—
Liability — Foreign currency contracts		2,939		—		2,939		—

A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

	Fair Value as of December 31, 2011		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	102,297	$	—	$	102,297	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		2,099		—		2,099		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		3,876		—		3,876		—
Asset – Foreign currency contracts		411		—		411		—

The fair value of our interest rate swaps is determined based on the notional amounts of the swaps and the forward LIBOR curve relative to the fixed interest rates under the swap agreements. The fair value of our commodities contracts is based on the quantities and fixed prices under the agreements and quoted forward commodity prices. The fair value of our foreign currency contracts is based on the notional amounts and rates under the contracts and observable market forward exchange rates. We classify these instruments in Level 2 because quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable benchmark market rates at commonly quoted intervals, observable current and forward commodity market prices on active exchanges, and observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices. We did not significantly change our valuation techniques from prior periods.

Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. In addition, because the interest rates on our senior secured credit facility and certain other debt are variable, their fair values approximate their carrying values.

The fair values of our Dean Foods Company senior notes and subsidiary senior notes were determined based on quoted market prices obtained through an external pricing source which derives its price valuations from daily marketplace transactions, with adjustments to reflect the spreads of benchmark bonds, credit risk and certain other variables. We have determined these fair values to be Level 2 measurements as all significant inputs into the quotes provided by our pricing source are observable in active markets. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our senior and subsidiary senior notes at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

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	March 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Subsidiary senior notes due 2017	$	129,543	$	140,935	$	129,117	$	136,853
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2016		499,010		513,750		498,959		493,750
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2018		400,000		440,000		400,000		426,000

7. Common Stock and Share-Based Compensation

Stock Options — The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at January 1, 2012		19,628,200		$	19.27
Granted		2,207,809			12.07
Forfeited and canceled(1)		(2,367,742	)		13.15
Exercised		(35,161	)		10.48
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012		19,433,106			19.17		5.03	$	3,452,967
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012		15,856,092			20.83		4.08		1,270,047

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock option plans, options that are forfeited or canceled may be available for future grants.

We recognize share-based compensation expense for stock options ratably over the vesting period. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of grants issued during these periods:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
Expected volatility		44%		41%
Expected dividend yield		—  %		—  %
Expected option term		5 years		5 years
Risk-free rate of return		0.88% to 0.89%		2.19% to 2.30%

Restricted Stock Units — The following table summarizes restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Employees			Directors			Total
Stock units outstanding at January 1, 2012		2,196,450			102,381			2,298,831
Stock units issued		944,778			45,702			990,480
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units		(673,503	)		(31,720	)		(705,223	)
Stock units canceled or forfeited(1)		(488,335	)		—			(488,335	)
Stock units outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,979,390			116,363			2,095,753
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	12.77		$	11.22		$	12.70

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock unit plans, employees have the option of forfeiting stock units to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. Stock units that are canceled or forfeited become available for future grants.

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Cash Performance Units — We grant awards of cash performance units (“CPUs”) as part of our long-term incentive compensation program under the terms of our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The CPU awards are cash-settled awards and are designed to link compensation of certain executive officers and other key employees to our performance over a three-year period. The performance metric, as defined in the award, is the performance of our stock price relative to that of a peer group of companies. The range of payout under the award is between 0% and 200% and is payable in cash at the end of each respective performance period. The fair value of the awards is remeasured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding liability, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes CPU activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Units
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		11,855,084
Granted		1,750,000
Converted/paid		—
Forfeited		(1,155,250	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		12,449,834

Phantom Shares — We grant phantom shares as part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which are similar to RSUs in that they are based on the price of our stock and vest ratably over a three-year period, but are cash settled based upon the value of our stock at each vesting period. The fair value of the awards is remeasured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding liability, which is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes the phantom share activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		1,081,668		$	10.36
Granted		893,409			12.07
Converted/paid		(320,084	)		10.35
Forfeited		(120,394	)		10.46
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,534,599			11.35

Share-Based Compensation Expense — The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Stock Options (1)	$	(943	)	$	3,362
Stock Units		2,573			5,030
Cash Performance Units		469			209
Phantom Shares		1,313			504
Total	$	3,412		$	9,105

(1) The net credit to stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is the result of a $3.9 million one-time cumulative reduction to share-based compensation expense for stock options based on our review of historical forfeiture activity in comparison to the estimated forfeiture rate originally applied to those awards.

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8. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands, except share data)
Basic EPS computation:
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares		184,104,804		182,817,066
Basic EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.21	$	0.14
Diluted EPS computation
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares — basic		184,104,804		182,817,066
Stock option conversion(1)		42,301		8,406
Stock units(2)		800,576		467,405
Average common shares — diluted		184,947,681		183,292,877
Diluted EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.20	$	0.14
(1) Anti-dilutive common shares excluded		18,571,275		21,628,925
(2) Anti-dilutive stock units excluded		421,509		464,217

9. Employee Retirement and Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor various defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, including various employee savings and profit sharing plans, and contribute to various multiemployer pension plans on behalf of our employees. Substantially all full-time union and non-union employees who have completed one or more years of service and have met other requirements pursuant to the plans are eligible to participate in one or more of these plans.

Defined Benefit Plans — The benefits under our defined benefit plans are based on years of service and employee compensation.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	1,126		$	710
Interest cost		3,631			3,803
Expected return on plan assets		(4,402	)		(4,241	)
Amortizations:
Unrecognized transition obligation		28			28
Prior service cost		194			191
Unrecognized net loss		2,918			2,265
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,495		$	2,756

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Postretirement Benefits — Certain of our subsidiaries provide health care benefits to certain retirees who are covered under specific group contracts.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	147	$	7
Interest cost		337		190
Amortizations:
Prior service cost/(credit)		6		(16	)
Unrecognized net loss		32		124
Net periodic benefit cost	$	522	$	305

10. Facility Closing and Reorganization Costs

Approved plans within our multi-year initiatives and related charges are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Fresh Dairy Direct:
Closure of facilities(1)	$	817		$	1,081
Functional Realignment(5)		25,336			—
Organization Optimization Initiative (4)		(17	)		1,491
Total Fresh Dairy Direct		26,136			2,572
Morningstar:
Closure of facilities(2)		3,387			—
Corporate:
Department Realignment(3)		(44	)		2,971
Organization Optimization Initiative(4)		(657	)		5,100
Total Corporate		(701	)		8,071
Total	$	28,822		$	10,643

(1) These charges in 2012 and 2011 primarily relate to facility closures in Newport, Kentucky; Baxley, Georgia; and Florence, South Carolina, as well as previously announced closures. We have incurred $55.8 million of charges related to these initiatives to date. We expect to incur additional charges related to Fresh Dairy Direct facility closures of $1.2 million, related to shutdown and other costs. As we continue the evaluation of our supply chain, it is likely that we will close additional facilities in the future.

(2) These charges in 2012 relate to workforce reduction costs and asset write-downs associated with the announced closure of our Sulphur Springs, Texas cultured production facility. We expect to incur additional charges related to this facility closure of $0.5 million, related to shutdown and other costs.

(3) Charges relate to workforce reduction costs associated with a multi-year cost reduction plan aimed at centralization and process improvement, as well as business unit and functional organization redesigns. The plan was implemented during the fourth quarter of 2010 and resulted in the elimination of approximately 75 positions as each function reorganized its processes in line with peer comparisons and internally developed functional blueprints as approved by an executive operating team. We incurred total charges of $5.4 million related to this initiative and do not expect to incur any additional charges going forward.

(4) In the first quarter of 2011 we initiated a significant cost reduction program that was incremental to our other ongoing cost-savings initiatives. This initiative was focused on permanently removing costs out of our business through organizational and corporate departmental redesigns, driven by process simplification and standardization, centralization of activities and reorganization to drive growth in our core customers and categories. As part of this

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program, we eliminated approximately 300 corporate and field positions during 2011. The charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011 relate to workforce reduction costs associated with the first tranche of this program and include costs associated with eliminating the position filled by our then President and Chief Operating Officer. We have incurred $24.2 million of charges related to this initiative to date, and we do not expect to incur any material additional charges related to this plan going forward.

(5) During the first quarter of 2012, our management team reassessed our company-wide strategy, resulting in a shift in focus to deploying our capital and strategically investing in the value-added segments of our business. With this new strategy, our goal is to invest our strategic capital primarily in those initiatives that yield higher returns over shorter time frames. In connection with this change, our management team approved a cost reduction plan that is incremental to any other prior cost savings initiative. This initiative is focused on aligning key functions within the Fresh Dairy Direct organization under a single leadership team and permanently removing costs from the Fresh Dairy Direct organization as well as certain functions that support this segment of our business. We eliminated approximately 120 corporate positions throughout the first quarter of 2012 under this initiative. Charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 are related to workforce reduction costs, the write-down of certain information technology assets and costs associated with exiting other commitments deemed not necessary to execute our new strategy. We expect to incur additional charges under this initiative ranging from approximately $3 million to approximately $7 million, primarily related to lease termination costs and the disposal of certain leasehold improvements.

Activity with respect to facility closing and reorganization costs during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is summarized below and includes items expensed as incurred:

	Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011			Charges		Payments			Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cash charges:
Workforce reduction costs	$	5,185		$	15,017	$	(13,681	)	$	6,521
Shutdown costs		(41	)		566		(566	)		(41	)
Lease obligations after shutdown		—			51		(51	)		—
Other		3			1,884		(1,784	)		103
Subtotal	$	5,147			17,518	$	(16,082	)	$	6,583
Noncash charges:
Write-down of assets					11,081
Loss on sale of related assets					193
Other					30
Total charges				$	28,822

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingent Obligations Related to Divested Operations — We have divested certain businesses in prior years. In each case, we have retained certain known contingent obligations related to those businesses and/or assumed an obligation to indemnify the purchasers of the businesses for certain unknown contingent liabilities, including environmental liabilities. We are currently participating in global settlement negotiations with Spanish authorities to resolve pending industry-wide investigations relating to excess production of raw milk by producers and unpaid levies associated with such production, which obligation we retained in the 2006 sale of our Iberian operations. Upon final settlement, we may incur additional charges related to these liabilities, but it is currently not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter. We believe that we have established adequate reserves which are immaterial to the financial statements for potential liabilities and indemnifications related to our divested businesses. Moreover, we do not expect any liability that we may have for these retained liabilities, or any indemnification liability, to materially exceed amounts accrued.

Contingent Obligations Related to Milk Supply Arrangements — On December 21, 2001, in connection with our acquisition of Legacy Dean, we purchased Dairy Farmers of America’s (“DFA”) 33.8% interest in our operations. In connection with that transaction, we issued a contingent, subordinated promissory note to DFA in the original principal amount of $40 million. The promissory note has a 20-year term that bears interest based on the consumer price index. Interest will not be paid in cash but will be added to the principal amount of the note annually, up to a maximum principal amount of $96 million. We may prepay the note in whole or in part at any time, without penalty. The note will only become payable if

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we materially breach or terminate one of our related milk supply agreements with DFA without renewal or replacement. Otherwise, the note will expire in 2021, without any obligation to pay any portion of the principal or interest. Payments made under the note, if any, would be expensed as incurred. We have not terminated, and we have not materially breached, any of our milk supply agreements with DFA related to the promissory note. We have previously terminated unrelated supply agreements with respect to several plants that were supplied by DFA. In connection with our goals of accelerated cost control and increased supply chain efficiency, we continue to evaluate our sources of raw milk supply.

Insurance — We retain selected levels of property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee health care, workers’ compensation claims and other casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered under conventional insurance programs with third party carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are self-insured. These deductibles are $2.0 million for casualty claims but may vary higher or lower due to insurance market conditions and risk. We believe that we have established adequate reserves to cover these claims.

Lease and Purchase Obligations — We lease certain property, plant and equipment used in our operations under both capital and operating lease agreements. Such leases, which are primarily for machinery, equipment and vehicles, have lease terms ranging from one to 20 years. We did not have any material capital lease obligations as of March 31, 2012. Certain of the operating lease agreements require the payment of additional rentals for maintenance, along with additional rentals based on miles driven or units produced. Certain leases require us to guarantee a minimum value of the leased asset at the end of the lease. Our maximum exposure under those guarantees is not a material amount.

We have entered into various contracts, in the normal course of business, obligating us to purchase minimum quantities of raw materials used in our production and distribution processes, including diesel fuel, soybeans and organic raw milk. We enter into these contracts from time to time to ensure a sufficient supply of raw ingredients. In addition, we have contractual obligations to purchase various services that are part of our production process.

Litigation, Investigations and Audits

Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions and Related Mississippi Action

We were named, along with several other defendants, in two putative class action antitrust complaints filed on July 5, 2007. The complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Columbia Division, and allege generally that we and others in the milk industry worked together to limit the price Southeastern dairy farmers are paid for their raw milk and to deny these farmers access to fluid Grade A milk processing facilities. Four additional putative class action complaints were filed in 2007 and 2008 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. The allegations in these complaints are similar to those in the dairy farmer actions. All six of the class actions (collectively, the “dairy farmer actions”) were consolidated and were transferred to the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. Class certification in the dairy farmer actions was granted in September 2010.

On July 12, 2011, we entered into a settlement agreement with the class plaintiffs in the dairy farmer actions. On July 14, 2011, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted preliminary approval of the class-wide settlement agreement and stayed the dairy farmer action with respect to the Company. Under the proposed settlement agreement, we agreed to pay a total of up to $140 million over a period of four to five years into a fund for distribution to dairy farmer class members in a number of Southeastern states.

On July 28, 2011, the Court issued an order partially decertifying the dairy farmer plaintiff class with which we had previously entered into the settlement agreement. The dairy farmer plaintiffs that were decertified from the class are, or were, members of the Dairy Farmers of America (“DFA”) co-operative. On August 1, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the Court to re-consider its decertification order. The Court denied that motion on August 19, 2011. In order to pursue a final and certain resolution consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement, we filed a motion with the Court on August 5, 2011 to vacate preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, defer associated deadlines related to the settlement, and to clarify the role of class counsel in light of the Court’s decertification order. The motion was granted by the Court and a Memorandum Opinion was issued on August 31, 2011. In the Memorandum Opinion, the Court stated that it would take the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement under advisement pending appointment of separate counsel and class representatives for the decertified DFA subclass.

In a separate order entered on October 5, 2011, the Court appointed separate interim counsel for the DFA subclass, and set preliminary deadlines for newly designated interim counsel to submit any motion for certification of a DFA subclass for settlement purposes and any motion to preliminarily approve the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. On December 27, 2011, interim counsel for the putative DFA member subclass filed a motion to certify the DFA subclass for settlement purposes and to reinstate preliminary approval of the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. Dean responded to the motion on January 17,

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2012, and did not oppose the motion. On February 14, 2012, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, and set May 15, 2012 as the date to consider final approval of the agreement. Per the terms of the settlement agreement, on February 21, 2012 we made a payment of $60 million into an escrow account to be distributed following the Court’s final approval, and issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million to support subsequent payments due under the agreement. The settlement agreement requires us to make a payment of up to $20 million on each of the following four anniversaries of the settlement agreement’s final approval date. There can be no assurance that the settlement agreement will receive final approval in its current form, in another form that is acceptable to the Court and the parties, or at all.

In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a $131.3 million charge and a corresponding liability for the present value of our obligations under the original settlement agreement, based on imputed interest computed at a rate of 4.77%, which approximates our like-term incremental fixed rate borrowing cost. We have continued to accrete interest related to this recorded liability as we believe a settlement of this matter is likely to occur under substantially similar financing terms.

On April 26, 2011, we, along with our Chief Executive Officer, Gregg Engles, and other defendants, were named in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division. An amended complaint was filed in August 2011, which dropped the class action allegations. The allegations in the amended complaint are similar to those in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions. In addition, plaintiffs have alleged generally that defendants committed civil violations of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), as well as common law fraud and tortious interference with contract. Plaintiffs are seeking treble damages for the alleged antitrust and RICO violations, and compensatory and consequential damages for the common law fraud and tortious interference claims.

On August 11, 2011, a motion to dismiss all of the claims was filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and motions to dismiss all but the antitrust claims were filed on behalf of the Company and the other defendants. Plaintiffs responded to those motions on October 4, 2011. On November 9, 2011, the Court granted the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of the Company. The Company filed its answer on November 23, 2011. On February 17 and February 29, 2012, the Company entered into settlement agreements with all of the plaintiffs pursuant to which all of the claims against the Company have been dismissed, and the Company’s involvement as a party in the case has ended.

Tennessee Retailer and Indirect Purchaser Actions

A putative class action antitrust complaint (the “retailer action”) was filed on August 9, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege generally that we, either acting alone or in conjunction with others in the milk industry who are also defendants in the retailer action, lessened competition in the Southeastern United States for the sale of processed fluid Grade A milk to retail outlets and other customers, and that the defendants’ conduct also artificially inflated wholesale prices for direct milk purchasers. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment in the retailer action was granted in part and denied in part in August 2010. Defendants filed a motion for reconsideration on September 10, 2010, and filed a supplemental motion for summary judgment as to the remaining claims on September 27, 2010. On March 27, 2012, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants as to all remaining counts and entered judgment in favor of all defendants, including the Company. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on April 25, 2012. The appeals court has set a scheduling conference for May 30, 2012.

On June 29, 2009, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division, on behalf of indirect purchasers of processed fluid Grade A milk (the “indirect purchaser action”). The allegations in this complaint are similar to those in the retailer action, but primarily involve state law claims. Because the allegations in the indirect purchaser action substantially overlap with the allegations in the retailer action, the Court granted the parties’ joint motion to stay all proceedings in the indirect purchaser action pending the outcome of the summary judgment motions in the retailer action. At this time, the stay remains in effect.

12. Segment, Geographic and Customers Information

We have three reportable segments: Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, changed the way he determines strategy and investment plans for our operations. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar operations were separated so that our three reporting segments now consist of Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar. This change reflects the divergence between the go-to-market strategies, customer bases and objectives of our businesses and reflects a change in how we expect to deploy our capital in the future. We believe these revised segments have increased internal focus and offered management and investors improved visibility into the performance of the segments against their specific objectives. All segment results set forth herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated net sales or operating income.

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Fresh Dairy Direct is our largest segment with 77 manufacturing facilities geographically located largely based on local and regional customer needs and other market factors. Fresh Dairy Direct manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded and private label dairy case products, including milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products to retailers, distributors, foodservice outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States. Our products are primarily delivered through what we believe to be one of the most extensive refrigerated direct store delivery (“DSD”) systems in the United States.

WhiteWave-Alpro manufactures, develops, markets and sells a variety of nationally branded value-added dairy products, such as Horizon Organic milk; nationally branded coffee creamers and beverages, including International Delight and LAND O LAKES; and nationally and internationally branded plant-based foods and beverages, such as Silk soy, almond and coconut milks, and Alpro and Provamel soy, almond and hazelnut drinks and food products. WhiteWave-Alpro sells its products to a variety of customers, including grocery stores, club stores, natural foods stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, drug stores and foodservice outlets. The majority of the WhiteWave-Alpro products are delivered through warehouse delivery systems.

Morningstar is a leading U.S. manufacturer of ESL creams and creamers, beverages and cultured dairy products with an emphasis on foodservice and private label retail customers. These products include half and half, whipping cream, ice cream mix, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese and are sold under a wide array of private labels and the Friendship brand. Morningstar sells its products to a variety of customers, including food distributors, national restaurant chains, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. Morningstar currently operates 12 manufacturing facilities domestically and has one of the most extensive manufacturing networks for these products in the United States. Morningstar products are sold by its internal sales force and independent brokers and are delivered through warehouse delivery systems.

During the first quarter of 2012 we completed the shutdown of the operations of our 50% owned joint venture between WhiteWave and Hero Group, which was part of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment. For the three months ended and as of March 31, 2012, the joint venture’s operations were immaterial and only an immaterial amount of assets remain as part of our investment. We may incur additional charges related to our final settlement with Hero Group.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating income or loss before gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, litigation settlements, foreign exchange gains and losses and write-downs related to the wind-down of our joint venture. The reporting segments do not include an allocation of the costs related to shared services such as audit services, corporate development, human resources, strategy, tax or treasury. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to our segments and is reflected entirely within the caption “Corporate and Other”. Therefore, the measure of segment profit or loss presented below is before such items. Additionally, a portion of our WhiteWave-Alpro products are sold by Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar. Those sales, together with their related costs, are included in the WhiteWave-Alpro segment for reporting purposes. A portion of our Fresh Dairy Direct products are manufactured by our Morningstar segment. Sales of those products, together with their related costs, are included in the Fresh Dairy Direct segment for reporting purposes.

The amounts in the following tables are obtained from reports used by our executive management team and do not include any allocated income taxes or management fees. There are no significant non-cash items reported in segment profit or loss other than depreciation and amortization.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,318,142	$	2,234,522
WhiteWave-Alpro		571,215		506,560
Morningstar		324,737		308,772
Total	$	3,214,094	$	3,049,854
Intersegment sales:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	13,380	$	17,372
WhiteWave-Alpro		29,298		27,785
Morningstar		72,564		83,694
Total	$	115,242	$	128,851

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	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Operating income:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	101,196		$	86,038
WhiteWave-Alpro		60,310			46,091
Morningstar		28,750			25,444
Total reportable segment operating income		190,256			157,573
Corporate and Other		(38,428	)		(60,493	)
Facility closing and reorganization costs		(28,822	)		(10,643	)
Other operating income		—			19,490
Total	$	123,006		$	105,927

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,650,241	$	2,669,001
WhiteWave-Alpro		2,111,413		2,086,097
Morningstar		675,221		670,870
Corporate		321,757		325,213
Assets held for sale		—		3,182
Total	$	5,758,632	$	5,754,363

Geographic Information — Net sales and long-lived assets for our domestic and foreign operations are shown in the table below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Domestic	$	3,116,723	$	2,952,807
Foreign		97,371		97,047

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Long-lived assets:
Domestic	$	3,581,587	$	3,594,443
Foreign		454,156		443,598

Significant Customers — Our largest customer accounted for approximately 20% of our consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Sales to this customer were included in our Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar segments.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events, and are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our business strategy, among other things, including anticipated trends and developments in, and management plans for, our business and the markets in which we operate. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words, such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” and “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q are based upon information available to us as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include the matters discussed in “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under these sections.

Business Overview

We are a leading food and beverage company in the United States, as well as a global leader in branded plant-based beverages such as soy, almond and coconut milks, and plant-based food products. We align our leadership teams, operating strategies, and supply chain initiatives around our three lines of business: Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar.

Fresh Dairy Direct — Fresh Dairy Direct is our largest segment, with approximately 72% of our consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Fresh Dairy Direct manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded and private label dairy case products, including milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products to retailers, distributors, foodservice outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States. These products are distributed under well-recognized regional brands such as Country Fresh^®, Dean’s^®, Garelick Farms^®, Mayfield^® and Oak Farms^®, as well as familiar local brands and private labels. Due to the perishable nature of its products, Fresh Dairy Direct delivers the majority of its products directly to its customers’ locations in refrigerated trucks or trailers that we own or lease. We believe that Fresh Dairy Direct has one of the most extensive refrigerated direct store delivery (“DSD”) systems in the United States. Fresh Dairy Direct sells its products primarily on a local or regional basis through its local and regional sales forces, although some national customer relationships are coordinated by national sales teams.

WhiteWave-Alpro — WhiteWave-Alpro’s net sales were approximately 18% of our consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012. WhiteWave manufactures, develops, markets and sells a variety of nationally branded value-added dairy products, such as Horizon Organic^® milk; nationally branded coffee creamers and beverages, including International Delight^® and LAND O LAKES^®; and national and international branded plant-based foods and beverages, such as Silk ^® soy, almond and coconut milks, and Alpro^® and Provamel^® soy, almond and hazelnut drinks and food products. We license the LAND O LAKES name from a third party. WhiteWave-Alpro sells its products to a variety of customers, including grocery stores, club stores, natural foods stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, drug stores and foodservice outlets. WhiteWave-Alpro sells its products primarily through its internal sales forces and independent brokers.

Morningstar – Morningstar’s net sales were approximately 10% of our consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Morningstar is a leading U.S. manufacturer of extended shelf life (“ESL”) creams and creamers, beverages and cultured dairy products with an emphasis on foodservice and private label retail customers. These products include half and half, whipping cream, ice cream mix, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese and are sold under a wide array of private labels and the Friendship™ brand. In addition to being sold through retailers for at-home consumption, these products are important ingredients for restaurant menu items such as desserts, soups, and coffee-specialty drinks. Morningstar sells its products to a variety of customers, including foodservice distributors, national restaurant chains, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. Morningstar sells its products through its internal sales force and independent brokers.

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Recent Developments

Competitive Pressures and Consumer Environment — As a result of the current economic climate and historically high retail prices, the fluid milk category has posted declining volumes over the last several years. In addition, the industry has experienced retail and wholesale margin erosion, as conventional milk prices increased steadily from 2009 through the first three quarters of 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2011 and into the first quarter of 2012, conventional milk prices decreased slightly. Retailers did not fully reflect such declines in shelf pricing, which partially restored the historical price relationship between branded and private label milk and allowed our regional brands to compete more effectively during the quarter. In general, our fluid milk volumes have continued to outpace the industry due to the addition of new customers during the second half of 2011. Despite ongoing challenges to our sales volume performance, we expect our fluid milk volumes to remain flat in the near term.

Throughout 2012, we will continue to emphasize price realization, volume performance and cost reduction to improve gross margin and drive operating income growth Organizational changes have been made to reduce our total cost to serve and our selling and general and administrative costs. We remain focused on sustaining positive cash flow and net debt reduction.

Conventional Milk Environment — Conventional milk prices gradually declined throughout the first quarter of 2012, and butterfat pricing is the lowest the industry has experienced since the first half of 2010; however, raw skim milk prices continue to be higher than the historical average. We expect Class I and Class II pricing to moderately decline in the second quarter before leveling off through the second half of 2012, with the possibility for modestly rising prices late in the year. The moderate decline in Class I and Class II pricing can be attributed to elevated domestic and international milk production.

Facility Closing and Reorganization Activities — During the first quarter of 2012, our management team reassessed our company-wide strategy, resulting in a shift in focus to deploying our capital and strategically investing in the value-added segments of our business. With this new strategy, our goal is to invest our strategic capital primarily in those initiatives that yield higher returns over shorter time frames. In connection with this change, our management team approved a cost reduction plan that is focused on aligning key functions within the Fresh Dairy Direct organization under a single leadership team and permanently removing costs from the Fresh Dairy Direct organization as well as certain functions that support this segment of our business. We incurred charges of $25.3 million under this initiative in the first quarter of 2012, primarily related to workforce reduction costs, the write-down of certain information technology assets and costs associated with exiting other commitments deemed not necessary to execute our new strategy.

Additionally, we announced the closure of one Morningstar facility during the first quarter of 2012. We continue to look for areas of opportunity and will likely incur additional costs related to these efforts and other initiatives in the near term as we continue to transform our business. See Note 10 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our facility closing and reorganization activities.

Hero/WhiteWave Joint Venture – During the first quarter of 2012, we completed the shutdown of the operations of our 50% owned joint venture between WhiteWave and Hero Group, which was part of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment. For the three months ended and as of March 31, 2012, the joint venture’s operations were immaterial and only an immaterial amount of assets remain as part of our investment. We may incur additional charges related to our final settlement with Hero Group.

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Results of Operations

The following table presents certain information concerning our financial results, including information presented as a percentage of net sales.

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012					2011
	Dollars		Percent			Dollars			Percent
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	3,214.1		100.0	%	$	3,049.9			100.0	%
Cost of sales		2,426.2		75.5			2,299.6			75.4
Gross profit(1)		787.9		24.5			750.3			24.6
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution		504.2		15.7			485.8			15.9
General and administrative		129.6		4.0			164.8			5.4
Amortization of intangibles		2.3		0.1			2.7			0.1
Facility closing and reorganization costs		28.8		0.9			10.6			0.3
Other operating income		—		—			(19.5	)		(0.6	)
Total operating costs and expenses		664.9		20.7			644.4			21.1
Total operating income	$	123.0		3.8	%	$	105.9			3.5	%

(1) As disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we include certain shipping and handling costs within selling and distribution expense. As a result, our gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that present all shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales.

Quarter Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2011 — Consolidated Results

Net Sales — Net sales by segment are shown in the table below.

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012		2011		$ Increase		% Increase
	(Dollars in millions)
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,318.1	$	2,234.5	$	83.6		3.7	%
WhiteWave-Alpro		571.2		506.6		64.6		12.8
Morningstar		324.8		308.8		16.0		5.2
Total	$	3,214.1	$	3,049.9	$	164.2		5.4	%

The change in net sales was due to the following:

	Quarter ended March 31, 2012 vs Quarter ended March 31, 2011
	Volume			Pricing and Product Mix Changes		Total Increase
	(Dollars in millions)
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	(17.6	)	$	101.2	$	83.6
WhiteWave-Alpro		44.6			20.0		64.6
Morningstar		2.4			13.6		16.0
Total	$	29.4		$	134.8	$	164.2

Consolidated net sales increased $164.2 million, or 5.4%, during the first quarter of 2012, as compared to the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to the pass-through of higher commodity costs. These increases were partially offset by the impact of the 2011 divestitures of our yogurt and Waukesha, WI fluid milk operations. See Note 2 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our 2011 divestitures.

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Cost of Sales — All expenses incurred to bring a product to completion are included in cost of sales, such as raw material, ingredient and packaging costs; labor costs; and plant and equipment costs. Cost of sales increased $126.6 million, or 5.5%, in the first quarter of 2012, from the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to higher commodity costs, partially offset by the 2011 divestitures of our yogurt and Waukesha operations. Conventional milk prices gradually declined throughout the first quarter of 2012, and butterfat pricing is the lowest the industry has experienced since the first half of 2010; however, raw skim milk prices continue to be higher than the historical average. We expect Class I and Class II pricing to moderately decline in the second quarter before leveling off through the second half of 2012, with the possibility for modestly rising prices late in the year. The moderate decline in Class I and Class II pricing can be attributed to elevated domestic and international milk production.

Operating Costs and Expenses — Our operating expenses increased $20.5 million, or 3.2%, in the first quarter of 2012, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Significant changes to operating costs and expenses include the following:

• Selling and distribution costs increased $18.4 million driven by continued increases in freight and fuel costs, as well as increased marketing spending behind our WhiteWave-Alpro portfolio of brands. We expect these costs to remain elevated throughout 2012.

• General and administrative costs decreased $35.2 million primarily driven by lower personnel-related costs, as a result of our headcount reduction in the first quarter of 2012, and reduced professional and consulting fees, as a result of our cost savings initiatives. In addition, first quarter 2011 results included a write-down of certain corporate assets which were held for sale as of March 31, 2011.

• Net facility closing and reorganization costs increased $18.2 million, primarily related to the realignment of our Fresh Dairy Direct organization. See Note 10 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our facility closing and reorganization activities.

• Other operating income decreased $19.5 million as a result of the first quarter of 2011 net pre-tax gain on the sale of our Mountain High yogurt operations and the write-down of long lived assets related to our Waukesha operations, which were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2011. See Note 2 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our divestitures.

Other (Income) Expense — Interest expense decreased to $60.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 from $65.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 due to lower overall average debt balances resulting from free cash flow generation, proceeds from the divestiture of our yogurt operations and the receipt of a federal income tax refund. The sale of our Mountain High operations closed on February 1, 2011, and the sale of our private label yogurt operations closed April 1, 2011. The combined proceeds from the yogurt divestitures and the receipt of the federal income tax refund were approximately $240 million, with all proceeds applied toward debt reduction.

Income Taxes — Income tax expense was recorded at an effective rate of 38.6% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 42.6% in the first quarter of 2011. Generally, our effective tax rate varies primarily based on our profitability level and the relative earnings of our business units. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2011, changes in certain state tax laws and the exclusion of the tax benefit attributable to our non-controlling interest increased our effective tax rate.

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Quarter Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2011 — Results by Segment

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating profit or loss before gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, litigation settlements and foreign exchange gains and losses. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to the Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar segments. Therefore, the measurement of segment operating income presented below is before such items.

Fresh Dairy Direct

The key performance indicators of our Fresh Dairy Direct segment are brand mix and achieving low cost, which are realized within gross profit and operating income, respectively.

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012					2011
	Dollars		Percent			Dollars		Percent
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	2,318.1		100.0	%	$	2,234.5		100.0	%
Cost of sales		1,796.2		77.5			1,718.4		76.9
Gross profit		521.9		22.5			516.1		23.1
Operating costs and expenses		420.7		18.1			430.1		19.3
Total segment operating income	$	101.2		4.4	%	$	86.0		3.8	%

Net Sales — Fresh Dairy Direct’s net sales increased $83.6 million, or 3.7%, during the first quarter of 2012 versus the first quarter of 2011 primarily due to the effective pass-through of higher commodity costs. While our fresh fluid milk volumes were flat with the first quarter of 2011, we experienced volume declines in our extended shelf life products, as well as volume declines related to the 2011 divestitures of our Mountain High yogurt and Waukesha fluid milk operations.

Fresh Dairy Direct generally increases or decreases the prices of its fluid dairy products on a monthly basis in correlation to fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, packaging supplies and delivery costs. However, in some cases, we are competitively or contractually constrained with respect to the means and/or timing of price increases. This can have a negative impact on our Fresh Dairy Direct segment’s profitability. The following table sets forth the average monthly Class I “mover” and its components, as well as the average monthly Class II minimum prices for raw skim milk and butterfat for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011:

	Quarter Ended March 31*
	2012		2011		% Change
Class I mover(1)	$	17.38	$	16.44		5.7	%
Class I raw skim milk mover(1)(2)		11.85		9.80		20.9
Class I butterfat mover(2)(3)		1.70		1.99		(14.6	)
Class II raw skim milk minimum(1)(4)		11.83		10.50		12.7
Class II butterfat minimum(3)(4)		1.61		2.21		(27.1	)

* The prices noted in this table are not the prices that we actually pay. The federal order minimum prices applicable at any given location for Class I raw skim milk or Class I butterfat are based on the Class I mover prices plus a location differential. Class II prices noted in the table are federal minimum prices, applicable at all locations. Our actual cost also includes producer premiums, procurement costs and other related charges that vary by location and supplier. Please see “Part I — Item 1. Business — Government Regulation — Milk Industry Regulation” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and “— Known Trends and Uncertainties — Prices of Raw Milk and Other Inputs” below for a more complete description of raw milk pricing.

(1) Prices are per hundredweight.

(2) We process Class I raw skim milk and butterfat into fluid milk products.

(3) Prices are per pound.

(4) We process Class II raw skim milk and butterfat into products such as cottage cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream and sour cream.

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Cost of Sales — All expenses incurred to bring a product to completion are included in cost of sales, such as raw material, ingredient and packaging costs; labor costs; and plant and equipment costs. Fresh Dairy Direct’s cost of sales increased by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2012, substantially due to higher commodity costs. Conventional milk prices gradually declined throughout the first quarter of 2012, and butterfat pricing is the lowest the industry has experienced since the first half of 2010; however, raw skim milk prices continue to be higher than the historical average.

Gross Profit — Fresh Dairy Direct’s gross profit percentage decreased to 22.5% in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to 23.1% in the first quarter of 2011. Gross profit trended downward due to lower margins on new business added in the second half of 2011, as well as rising non-dairy input costs, such as packaging materials.

Operating Costs and Expenses — Fresh Dairy Direct’s operating costs and expenses decreased by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the first quarter of 2011. Significant changes to operating costs and expenses include the following:

• Selling and distribution costs increased $3.2 million, driven by higher freight and fuel costs. We expect these costs to remain elevated throughout 2012.

• General and administrative costs decreased by $12.1 million, primarily driven by our headcount reduction in the first quarter of 2012.

WhiteWave-Alpro

The key performance indicators of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment are sales volumes, net sales dollars, gross profit and operating income.

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012					2011
	Dollars		Percent			Dollars		Percent
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	571.2		100.0	%	$	506.6		100.0	%
Cost of sales		361.1		63.2			325.4		64.2
Gross profit		210.1		36.8			181.2		35.8
Operating costs and expenses		149.8		26.2			135.1		26.7
Total segment operating income	$	60.3		10.6	%	$	46.1		9.1	%

Net Sales — Net sales of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment increased $64.6 million, or 12.8%, in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter of 2011, driven by strong volume growth across our portfolio, coupled with price increases on certain products. Sales for the Value-Added Dairy portfolio of products grew in the mid single digits compared to the first quarter of 2011. Coffee Creamers and Beverages’ product sales grew in the low twenties, while product sales in the Plant-Based Beverages portfolio increased in the mid twenties compared to the same quarter in 2011. The strong growth in these businesses was driven primarily by category growth in plant-based beverages and coffee creamers, product innovation, and increased marketing investments. Sales of our Alpro business grew mid-single digits on a constant-currency basis, driven by higher pricing and a favorable mix of products sold, which more than offset the impact of sales declines in certain Southern European markets driven by the challenging economic environment.

Cost of Sales — WhiteWave-Alpro’s cost of sales increased 11.0% in the first quarter of 2012 from the first quarter of 2011. This increase was primarily driven by sales volume growth and somewhat higher commodity and other input costs, as well as start-up costs incurred at our new Dallas, Texas manufacturing facility.

Gross Profit — WhiteWave-Alpro’s gross profit percentage increased to 36.8% in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to 35.8% in the first quarter of 2011, driven by higher pricing and favorable mix of products sold.

Operating Costs and Expenses — WhiteWave-Alpro’s operating costs and expenses increased by $14.7 million during the first quarter of 2012 from the first quarter of 2011. Significant changes to operating costs and expenses are due to a $15.0 million increase in selling and distribution costs, driven by higher volumes, elevated fuel costs and increased marketing investments behind its major brands. We expect these costs to remain elevated throughout 2012.

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Morningstar

The key performance indicator of Morningstar is volume growth in categories, which is realized within gross profit.

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012					2011
	Dollars		Percent			Dollars		Percent
	(Dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	324.8		100.0	%	$	308.8		100.0	%
Cost of sales		269.0		82.8			255.6		82.8
Gross profit		55.8		17.2			53.2		17.2
Operating costs and expenses		27.0		8.3			27.7		8.9
Total segment operating income	$	28.8		8.9	%	$	25.5		8.3	%

Net Sales — Morningstar’s net sales increased $16.0 million, or 5.2%, in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter of 2011, primarily due to the improved pass-through of commodity costs, as well as volume increases across our product categories, particularly within our extended shelf life products. Total volume increases were partially offset by the divestiture of our private label yogurt operations in 2011, which had historically accounted for approximately 15% of Morningstar’s total volume.

Morningstar generally increases or decreases the prices of its dairy products on a monthly basis in correlation to fluctuations in its dairy commodity costs. However, Grade AA butter and Class II butterfat costs are not known in advance of setting customer pricing. In addition, in some cases, we are subject to the terms of sales agreements with respect to the means and/or timing of price increases. This can have a negative impact on Morningstar’s profitability. The following table sets forth the average monthly Grade AA butter, Class II minimum butterfat and Class II minimum raw skim milk prices for 2012 compared to 2011:

	Quarter Ended March 31*
	2012		2011		% Change
Grade AA butter(1)	$	1.50	$	2.06		(27.2	)%
Class II butterfat minimum(1)(2)		1.61		2.21		(27.1	)
Class II raw skim milk minimum(2)(3)		11.83		10.50		12.7

* The prices noted in this table are not the prices that we actually pay. Bulk cream is purchased based on a multiple of the grade AA butter price. Class II prices noted in the table are federal minimum prices, applicable at all locations. Our actual cost also includes producer premiums, procurement costs and other related charges that vary by location and supplier. Please see “Part I — Item 1. Business — Government Regulation — Milk Industry Regulation” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and “— Known Trends and Uncertainties — Prices of Raw Milk and Other Inputs” below for a more complete description of raw milk pricing.

(1) Prices are per pound.

(2) We process Class II butterfat and Class II raw skim milk into products such as cottage cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream and sour cream.

(3) Prices are per hundredweight.

Cost of Sales — All expenses incurred to bring a product to completion are included in cost of sales, such as raw material, ingredient and packaging costs; labor costs; and plant and equipment costs. Morningstar’s cost of sales increased by 5.2% in the first quarter of 2012, substantially due to higher volumes.

Gross Profit —Morningstar’s gross profit percentage remained flat at 17.2% in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011.

Operating Costs and Expenses — Morningstar’s operating costs and expenses decreased by 2.5% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to a $1.5 million decrease in general and administrative costs resulting from our cost savings initiatives.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that our cash on hand, coupled with future cash flows from operations and other available sources of liquidity, including our amended and restated $1.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facility ($1.275 billion effective April 2, 2012 as discussed in Note 5 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) and our $600 million receivables-backed facility, will provide sufficient liquidity to allow us to meet our cash requirements in the next twelve months. Our anticipated uses of cash include capital expenditures, working capital needs, pension contributions and financial obligations. On an ongoing basis, we will evaluate and consider strategic acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, repurchasing shares of our common stock, as well as other transactions to create shareholder value and enhance financial performance. Such transactions may require cash expenditures or generate proceeds.

As of March 31, 2012, $118.3 million of our total cash on hand of $130.3 million was attributable to our foreign operations. We anticipate that approximately $70 million of this cash will be mobilized and returned to the U.S. during the second quarter of 2012, and although not a required repayment under the agreement governing our senior secured credit facility, we intend to utilize these funds for additional debt repayments to lower our outstanding debt balances as well as future interest expense. We currently anticipate leaving the remaining $48.3 million of cash attributable to our foreign operations in these foreign jurisdictions.

At March 31, 2012, we had $3.8 billion of outstanding debt obligations, cash on hand of $130.3 million and an additional $1.4 billion of combined available future borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility and receivables-backed facility, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreements. Based on our current expectations, we believe our liquidity and capital resources will be sufficient to operate our business. However, we may, from time to time, raise additional funds through borrowings or public or private sales of debt or equity securities. The amount, nature and timing of any borrowings or sales of debt or equity securities will depend on our operating performance and other circumstances; our then-current commitments and obligations; the amount, nature and timing of our capital requirements; any limitations imposed by our current credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.

Our credit agreement permits us to complete acquisitions that meet all of the following conditions without obtaining prior approval: (1) the acquired company is involved in the manufacture, processing and distribution of food or packaging products or any other line of business in which we were engaged as of April 2007; (2) the net cash purchase price for any single acquisition is not greater than $500 million and not greater than $100 million if our leverage ratio is greater than 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis; (3) we acquire at least 51% of the acquired entity; (4) the transaction is approved by the board of directors or shareholders, as appropriate, of the target; and (5) after giving effect to such acquisition on a pro-forma basis, we would have been in compliance with all financial covenants. All other acquisitions must be approved in advance by the required lenders.

The senior secured credit facility contains limitations on liens, investments and the incurrence of additional indebtedness, prohibits certain dispositions of property and restricts certain payments, including dividends. There are no restrictions on these certain payments, including dividends, when our leverage ratio is below 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis. The senior secured credit facility is secured by liens on substantially all of our domestic assets, including the assets of our domestic subsidiaries, but excluding the capital stock of subsidiaries of the former Dean Foods Company (“Legacy Dean”), the real property owned by Legacy Dean and its subsidiaries, and accounts receivable associated with the receivables-backed facility.

Under the senior secured credit facility, we are required to comply with certain financial covenants, including, but not limited to, maximum leverage, maximum senior secured leverage and minimum interest coverage ratios, each as defined under and calculated in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing our senior secured credit facility and our receivables-backed facility. Our leverage ratio at March 31, 2012 was 4.41 times consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters. The maximum permitted leverage ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters was 5.50 times as of March 31, 2012 and decreases to 5.25 times as of March 31, 2013, with an additional decrease thereafter. As described in more detail in our amended and restated credit agreement, the leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness, less cash up to $100 million to the extent held by us and our restricted subsidiaries, to consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the measurement date. Consolidated funded indebtedness is comprised of our outstanding indebtedness and the outstanding indebtedness of certain of our subsidiaries. Consolidated EBITDA is comprised of net income plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization expense and certain other non-cash expenses, and add-backs resulting from acquisition-related non-recurring charges incurred by us or certain of our subsidiaries and is calculated on a pro-forma basis to give effect to any acquisitions, divestitures or relevant changes in our composition or the composition of certain of our subsidiaries. In addition, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA may include adjustments related to other charges reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent.

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Our senior secured leverage ratio at March 31, 2012 was 3.19 times consolidated funded senior secured indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters. The maximum permitted senior secured leverage ratio of consolidated funded senior secured indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters allowed was 3.75 times as of March 31, 2012 and decreases to 3.50 times as of March 31, 2013. This ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated funded senior secured indebtedness, less cash up to $100 million to the extent held by us and our restricted subsidiaries, to consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the measurement date. Consolidated funded senior secured indebtedness is comprised of our outstanding senior secured indebtedness and the outstanding senior secured indebtedness of certain of our subsidiaries. Consolidated EBITDA is calculated as described above in the discussion of our leverage ratio.

Our interest coverage ratio at March 31, 2012 was 3.66 times consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the prior four consecutive quarters. The minimum permitted interest coverage ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the prior four consecutive quarters was 2.75 times as of March 31, 2012 and increases to 3.00 times as of March 31, 2013. This ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the measurement date. Consolidated EBITDA is calculated as described above in the discussion of our leverage ratio. Consolidated interest expense is comprised of consolidated interest expense paid or payable in cash, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but excluding non-cash losses from foreign exchange translations or swap agreements and third party fees and expenses related to acquisitions, investments, dispositions and the incurrence or early extinguishment of indebtedness.

We are currently in compliance with all covenants in our credit agreements, and based on our internal projections we expect to maintain such compliance for the foreseeable future.

At March 31, 2012, $1.35 billion was available under the senior secured revolving credit facility, with $75.0 million also available under the receivables-backed facility, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreements. Availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility is calculated using the total commitment amount less current borrowings and issued and outstanding letters of credit. Availability under the receivables-backed facility is calculated using the current receivables balance for the seller entities, less adjustments for customer concentration limits, reserve requirements, and other adjustments as described in the amended and restated receivables repurchase agreement, not to exceed the total commitment amount less current borrowings and outstanding letters of credit. At April 27, 2012, approximately $1.2 billion, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreements, was available to finance working capital and other general corporate purposes under the senior secured revolving credit facility and receivables-backed facility.

Historical Cash Flow

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:

	Quarter Ended March 31
	2012			2011			Change
	(In thousands)
Net cash flows from:
Operating activities	$	3,222		$	37,183		$	(33,961	)
Investing activities		(40,757	)		53,176			(93,933	)
Financing activities		49,635			(76,704	)		126,339
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		3,358			2,947			411
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	15,458		$	16,602		$	(1,144	)

Operating Activities

Operating cash flows in the quarter were lower than the same quarter of the prior year due to $61 million of litigation payments made in the first quarter of 2012 related to the Tennessee dairy farmer actions discussed in Note 11 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, partially offset by the impact of higher net income.

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Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities decreased during the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to cash proceeds from the sale of our Mountain High yogurt operations and a trademark in the first quarter of 2011. See Note 2 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the Mountain High yogurt divestiture.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities increased during the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to net proceeds from debt of approximately $52 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to a net repayment of debt of approximately $79 million in the first quarter of 2011 as a result of proceeds received from our Mountain High yogurt divestiture.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to the information provided with respect to our contractual obligations, including indebtedness and purchase and lease obligations, as disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Other Long-Term Liabilities

We offer pension benefits through various defined benefit pension plans and also offer certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees. Reported costs of providing non-contributory defined pension benefits and other postretirement benefits are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions and estimates. For example, these costs are impacted by actual employee demographics (including age, compensation levels and employment periods), the level of contributions made to the plan and earnings on plan assets. Pension and postretirement costs also may be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation and annual periodic pension costs.

We expect to contribute approximately $22 million to the pension plans and approximately $3 million to the postretirement health plans in 2012.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

On December 21, 2001, in connection with our acquisition of Legacy Dean, we purchased Dairy Farmers of America’s (“DFA”) 33.8% interest in our operations. In connection with that transaction, we issued a contingent, subordinated promissory note to DFA in the original principal amount of $40 million. The promissory note has a 20-year term that bears interest based on the consumer price index. Interest will not be paid in cash but will be added to the principal amount of the note annually, up to a maximum principal amount of $96 million. We may prepay the note in whole or in part at any time, without penalty. The note will only become payable if we materially breach or terminate one of our related milk supply agreements with DFA without renewal or replacement. Otherwise, the note will expire in 2021, without any obligation to pay any portion of the principal or interest. Payments made under the note, if any, would be expensed as incurred. We have not terminated, and we have not materially breached, any of our related milk supply agreements with DFA related to the promissory note. We have previously terminated unrelated supply agreements with respect to several plants that were supplied by DFA. In connection with our goals of accelerated cost control and increased supply chain efficiency, we continue to evaluate our sources of raw milk supply.

We also have the following commitments and contingent liabilities, in addition to contingent liabilities related to ordinary course litigation, investigations and audits:

• certain indemnification obligations related to businesses that we have divested;

• certain lease obligations, which require us to guarantee the minimum value of the leased asset at the end of the lease;

• selected levels of property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee health care, workers’ compensation claims and other casualty losses; and

• certain litigation-related contingencies.

See Note 11 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our commitments and contingent obligations, including our litigation contingencies.

Future Capital Requirements

During 2012, we intend to invest a total of approximately $250 million to $275 million in capital expenditures primarily for our existing manufacturing facilities and distribution capabilities. We expect cash interest to be approximately $210 million to $215 million based upon current debt levels and projected forward interest rates under our senior secured credit facility. Cash interest excludes amortization of deferred financing fees and bond discounts of approximately $14 million and imputed interest of approximately $3 million related to the Tennessee dairy farmer action litigation settlement

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discussed in Note 11 to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of March 31, 2012, the portion of our long-term debt due within the next 12 months totals approximately $254 million. From time to time, we may repurchase our outstanding debt obligations in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. We expect that cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility and our receivables-backed facility will be sufficient to meet our future capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

Known Trends and Uncertainties

Prices of Raw Milk and Other Inputs

Conventional Raw Milk and Butterfat — The primary raw materials used in Fresh Dairy Direct’s and Morningstar’s products are conventional milk (which contains both raw milk and butterfat) and bulk cream. On a monthly basis, the federal government and certain state governments set minimum prices for raw milk. The regulated minimum prices differ based on how the raw milk is utilized. Raw milk processed into fluid milk is priced at the Class I price and raw milk processed into products such as cottage cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream and sour cream is priced at the Class II price. Generally, we pay the federal minimum prices for raw milk, plus certain producer premiums (or “over-order” premiums) and location differentials. We also incur other raw milk procurement costs in some locations (such as hauling, field personnel, etc.). A change in the federal minimum price does not necessarily mean an identical change in our total raw milk costs as over-order premiums may increase or decrease. This relationship is different in every region of the country and sometimes within a region based on supplier arrangements. However, in general, the overall change in our raw milk costs can be linked to the change in federal minimum prices. Because our Class II products typically have a higher fat content than that contained in raw milk, we also purchase bulk cream for use in some of our Class II products. Bulk cream is typically purchased based on a multiple of the Grade AA butter price on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”).

In general, Fresh Dairy Direct changes the prices charged for Class I dairy products on a monthly basis, as the costs of raw milk, packaging, fuel and other materials fluctuate. Prices for certain Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar Class II products are also changed monthly, while others are changed from time to time as circumstances warrant. However, there can be a lag between the timing of a raw material cost increase or decrease and a corresponding price change to our customers, especially in the case of Class II butterfat because Class II butterfat prices for each month are not announced by the government until after the end of that month. Additionally, in some cases, primarily with respect to diesel fuel and other non-dairy inputs, we are subject to the terms of sales agreements with respect to the implementation of price changes. This can have a negative impact on our profitability and can cause volatility in our earnings. Our sales and operating profit margin fluctuate with the price of our raw materials and other inputs.

Conventional milk prices gradually declined throughout the first quarter of 2012, and butterfat pricing is the lowest the industry has experienced since the first half of 2010; however, raw skim milk prices continue to be higher than the historical average. We expect Class I and Class II pricing to moderately decline in the second quarter before leveling off through the second half of 2012, with the possibility for modestly rising prices late in the year. The moderate decline in Class I and Class II pricing can be attributed to elevated domestic and international milk production.

Organic Raw Milk — The primary raw material used in our organic milk-based products is organic raw milk. We currently work with more than 600 dairy farmers across the United States and purchase 93% of our organic raw milk from this network. The balance of our organic raw milk is sourced from two farms that we own. We generally enter into supply agreements with organic dairy farmers with typical terms of two to five years, which obligate us to purchase certain minimum quantities of organic raw milk. The organic dairy industry regularly experiences significant swings in supply and demand based on consumer economic factors. Retail price increases on private label products generally lag that of branded products, causing retail price gaps to expand. Such gaps can create challenges where increasing costs of food and energy drive up the cost of organic milk faster than retail prices can be increased. Organic milk production was higher than anticipated during the first quarter of 2012 due to a mild winter, but we expect supply constraints to continue throughout 2012, which may continue to pressure our costs and impact our volume sales of organic milk. We continue to take proactive steps to manage our organic raw milk supply to ensure we are able to maintain our leading position in the value-added dairy category.

Soybeans and Almonds — The primary raw materials used in our plant-based products are non–Genetically Modified Organism (“non-GMO”) soybeans, organic soybeans and almonds. In 2011, we committed to using only soybeans that have been certified as non-GMO by an independent party in our non-organic products. Both soybeans and almonds are generally available from several suppliers and we are not dependent on any single supplier for these raw materials.

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Fuel and Resin Costs — Fresh Dairy Direct purchases diesel fuel to operate its extensive DSD system and incurs fuel surcharge expense related to the products it delivers through third-party carriers. WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar primarily rely on third-party carriers for product distribution, and the transportation agreements typically adjust for movement in diesel prices. Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity price fluctuations, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic benefits we derive from these strategies.

Another significant raw material we use is resin, which is a fossil fuel based product used to make plastic bottles. Fresh Dairy Direct purchases approximately 28 million pounds of resin and bottles per month. The prices of diesel and resin are subject to fluctuations based on changes in crude oil and natural gas prices. We expect that fuel and resin costs will remain elevated throughout 2012.

Competitive Environment

As a result of the current economic climate and historically high retail prices, the fluid milk category has posted declining volumes over the last several years. In addition, the industry has experienced retail and wholesale margin erosion, as conventional milk prices increased steadily from 2009 through the first three quarters of 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2011 and into the first quarter of 2012, conventional milk prices decreased slightly. Retailers did not fully reflect such declines in shelf pricing, which partially restored the historical price relationship between branded and private label milk and allowed our regional brands to compete more effectively during the quarter. In general, our fluid milk volumes have continued to outpace the industry due to the addition of new customers during the second half of 2011. Despite ongoing challenges to our sales volume performance, we expect our fluid milk volumes to remain flat in the near term.

Throughout 2012, we will continue to emphasize price realization, volume performance and cost reduction to improve gross margin and drive operating income growth. Organizational changes have been made to reduce our total cost to serve and our selling and general and administrative costs. We remain focused on sustaining positive cash flow and net debt reduction.

Tax Rate

Income tax expense was recorded at an effective rate of 38.6% in the first three months of 2012 compared to 42.6% in the first three months of 2011. Changes in the relative profitability of our operating segments, as well as changes to federal, state, and foreign tax laws, may cause the rate to change from historical rates.

See “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of various other risks and uncertainties concerning our business.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as provided in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Controls Evaluation and Related Certifications

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, referred to herein as “Disclosure Controls”) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. The controls evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based upon our most recent controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our Disclosure Controls were effective as of March 31, 2012.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter covered by this report, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions and Related Mississippi Action

We were named, along with several other defendants, in two putative class action antitrust complaints filed on July 5, 2007. The complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Columbia Division, and allege generally that we and others in the milk industry worked together to limit the price Southeastern dairy farmers are paid for their raw milk and to deny these farmers access to fluid Grade A milk processing facilities. Four additional putative class action complaints were filed in 2007 and 2008 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. The allegations in these complaints are similar to those in the dairy farmer actions. All six of the class actions (collectively, the “dairy farmer actions”) were consolidated and were transferred to the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. Class certification in the dairy farmer actions was granted in September 2010.

On July 12, 2011, we entered into a settlement agreement with the class plaintiffs in the dairy farmer actions. On July 14, 2011, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted preliminary approval of the class-wide settlement agreement and stayed the dairy farmer action with respect to the Company. Under the proposed settlement agreement, we agreed to pay a total of up to $140 million over a period of four to five years into a fund for distribution to dairy farmer class members in a number of Southeastern states.

On July 28, 2011, the Court issued an order partially decertifying the dairy farmer plaintiff class with which we had previously entered into the settlement agreement. The dairy farmer plaintiffs that were decertified from the class are, or were, members of the Dairy Farmers of America (“DFA”) co-operative. On August 1, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the Court to re-consider its decertification order. The Court denied that motion on August 19, 2011. In order to pursue a final and certain resolution consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement, we filed a motion with the Court on August 5, 2011 to vacate preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, defer associated deadlines related to the settlement, and to clarify the role of class counsel in light of the Court’s decertification order. The motion was granted by the Court and a Memorandum Opinion was issued on August 31, 2011. In the Memorandum Opinion, the Court stated that it would take the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement under advisement pending appointment of separate counsel and class representatives for the decertified DFA subclass.

In a separate order entered on October 5, 2011, the Court appointed separate interim counsel for the DFA subclass, and set preliminary deadlines for newly designated interim counsel to submit any motion for certification of a DFA subclass for settlement purposes and any motion to preliminarily approve the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. On December 27, 2011, interim counsel for the putative DFA member subclass filed a motion to certify the DFA subclass for settlement purposes and to reinstate preliminary approval of the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. Dean responded to the motion on January 17, 2012, and did not oppose the motion. On February 14, 2012, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, and set May 15, 2012 as the date to consider final approval of the agreement. Per the terms of the settlement agreement, on February 21, 2012 we made a payment of $60 million into an escrow account to be distributed following the Court’s final approval, and issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million to support subsequent payments due under the agreement. The settlement agreement requires us to make a payment of up to $20 million on each of the following four anniversaries of the settlement agreement’s final approval date. There can be no assurance that the settlement agreement will receive final approval in its current form, in another form that is acceptable to the Court and the parties, or at all.

In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a $131.3 million charge and a corresponding liability for the present value of our obligations under the original settlement agreement, based on imputed interest computed at a rate of 4.77%, which approximates our like-term incremental fixed rate borrowing cost. We have continued to accrete interest related to this recorded liability as we believe a settlement of this matter is likely to occur under substantially similar financing terms.

On April 26, 2011, we, along with our Chief Executive Officer, Gregg Engles, and other defendants, were named in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division. An amended complaint was filed in August 2011, which dropped the class action allegations. The allegations in the amended complaint are similar to those in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions. In addition, plaintiffs have alleged generally that defendants committed civil violations of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), as well as common law fraud and tortious interference with contract. Plaintiffs are seeking treble damages for the alleged antitrust and RICO violations, and compensatory and consequential damages for the common law fraud and tortious interference claims.

On August 11, 2011, a motion to dismiss all of the claims was filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and motions to dismiss all but the antitrust claims were filed on behalf of the Company and the other defendants. Plaintiffs responded to those motions on October 4, 2011. On November 9, 2011, the Court granted the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of the Company. The Company filed its answer on November 23, 2011. On February 17 and February 29, 2012, the Company entered into settlement agreements with all of the plaintiffs pursuant to which all of the claims against the Company have been dismissed, and the Company’s involvement as a party in the case has ended.

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Tennessee Retailer and Indirect Purchaser Actions

A putative class action antitrust complaint (the “retailer action”) was filed on August 9, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege generally that we, either acting alone or in conjunction with others in the milk industry who are also defendants in the retailer action, lessened competition in the Southeastern United States for the sale of processed fluid Grade A milk to retail outlets and other customers, and that the defendants’ conduct also artificially inflated wholesale prices for direct milk purchasers. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment in the retailer action was granted in part and denied in part in August 2010. Defendants filed a motion for reconsideration on September 10, 2010, and filed a supplemental motion for summary judgment as to the remaining claims on September 27, 2010. On March 27, 2012, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants as to all remaining counts, and entered judgment in favor of all defendants, including the Company. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on April 25, 2012. The appeals court has set a scheduling conference for May 30, 2012.

On June 29, 2009, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division, on behalf of indirect purchasers of processed fluid Grade A milk (the “indirect purchaser action”). The allegations in this complaint are similar to those in the retailer action, but primarily involve state law claims. Because the allegations in the indirect purchaser action substantially overlap with the allegations in the retailer action, the Court granted the parties’ joint motion to stay all proceedings in the indirect purchaser action pending the outcome of the summary judgment motions in the retailer action. At this time, the stay remains in effect.

Item 6. Exhibits

*10.1	Dean Foods Company 2012 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 9, 2012).
*10.2	Ninth Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (filed herewith).
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
99	Supplemental Financial Information for Dean Holding Company (filed herewith).
101.INS XBRL Instance Document(1).
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(1).
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document(1).
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(1).
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document(1).
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document(1).

(1) Submitted electronically herewith.

* This exhibit is a management or compensatory contract.

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SIGNATURES

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

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

/s/ SCOTT K. VOPNI

Scott K. Vopni

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

May 9, 2012

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EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

DEAN FOODS COMPANY

NINTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

1997 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

1. Purpose of the Plan. This Plan shall be known as the Dean Foods Company Eighth Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the best available persons for positions of substantial responsibility and to provide incentives to such persons to promote the success of the business of Dean Foods Company and its subsidiaries.

Certain options granted under this Plan are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

“Authorized Officers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 19 hereof.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Change in Control” means (1) any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, but specifically excluding the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and/or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or (2) during any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the effective date of this amendment and restatement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the members of the Board and any new director, whose election to the Board or nomination for election to the Board by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds ( ²/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; or (3) the Company or any Subsidiary shall merge with or consolidate into any other company, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding immediately thereafter securities representing more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (4) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or such a plan is commenced.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Committee” means the committee described in Section 19 that administers the Plan or, if no such committee has been appointed, the full Board.

“Common Stock” means the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Common Stock issued pursuant to this Plan shall have the same rights as all other issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to voting rights, the right to dividends, if declared and paid, and the right to pro rata distributions of the Company’s assets in the event of liquidation.

“Company” means Dean Foods Company, a Delaware corporation, formerly known as Suiza Foods Corporation.

“Consultant” means any consultant or advisor who renders bona fide services to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, which services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction.

“Date of Grant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.

“Employee” means any officer or other key employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (including any director who is also an officer or key employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exercise Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9 hereof.

“Fair Market Value” means the closing sale price (or average of the quoted closing bid and asked prices if there is no closing sale price reported) of the Common Stock on the date specified as reported by the principal national exchange or trading system on which the Common Stock is then listed or traded. If there is no reported price information for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion. In making such determination, the Board or the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, commission and rely upon an independent appraisal of the Common Stock.

“Immediate Family Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15 hereof.

“Non-Employee Director” means an individual who is a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an “outside director” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.162-27(e)(3).

“Nonqualified Option” means any Option that is not a Qualified Option.

“Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan.

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“Optionee” means any Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director who receives an Option.

“Participant” means any Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director who receives an Option or Restricted Stock pursuant to this Plan.

“Qualified Option” means any Option that is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

“Qualifying Retirement” means retirement by a Participant from employment or other service to the Company or any Subsidiary after such Participant reaches the age of 65.

“Restricted Stock” means Common Stock awarded to an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan.

“Restricted Stock Cap” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, as Rule 16b-3 may be amended from time to time, and any successor provisions to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

“Subsidiary” means any now existing or hereinafter organized or acquired company of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding voting interests are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Company or through one or more Subsidiaries of the Company.

“10-Percent Stockholder” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9 hereof.

3. Term of Plan. The Plan has been adopted by the Board effective as of February 24, 1997 and approved by the stockholders of the Company. The Plan shall continue in effect until terminated pursuant to Section 19.

4. Shares Subject to the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in Section 18 hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Options or upon the grant of Restricted Stock pursuant to this Plan shall be 37,500,000 shares; provided that any individual grant may not exceed, in the case of Options, 1,000,000 Options, and, in the case of Restricted Stock, 225,000 shares. Such shares may either be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The Company shall, during the term of this Plan, reserve and keep available a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, or Restricted Stock should fail to vest and be forfeited in whole or in part for any reason, then the shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan has terminated, be available for the grant of additional Options or Restricted Stock under this Plan, subject to the limitations set forth above and in Section 19 hereof.

5. Eligibility. Qualified Options may be granted under Section 6 of the Plan to such Employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may be determined by the Board or the Committee (or the Authorized Officers, to the extent permitted by Section 19 of this Plan).

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Nonqualified Options may be granted under Section 6 of the Plan to such Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may be determined by the Board or the Committee (or the Authorized Officers, to the extent permitted by Section 19 of this Plan). Restricted Stock may be granted under Section 7 of the Plan to such Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may be determined by the Board or the Committee (or the Authorized Officers, to the extent permitted by Section 19 of this Plan).

6. Grant of Options. (a) Except as limited by Section 4 hereof, the Board or the Committee shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be offered from time to time pursuant to Options granted hereunder and shall grant Options under the Plan. In connection with the granting of Qualified Options, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant of a Qualified Option) of the shares with respect to which Qualified Options are exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year (under all such plans of the Optionee’s employer company and its parent and subsidiary corporations as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, or a corporation or a parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation issuing or assuming an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies) shall not exceed $100,000 or such other amount as from time to time provided in Section 422(d) of the Code or any successor provision. The grant of Options shall be evidenced by Option agreements containing such terms and provisions as are approved by the Board or the Committee and executed on behalf of the Company by an appropriate officer.

(b) Unless the Board or the Committee determines otherwise with respect to a particular year, each Non-Employee Director will automatically be granted a fully vested Nonqualified Option to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 18 hereof), at an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, on June 30 of each year.

7. Restricted Stock. The Board or the Committee shall from time to time determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted as Restricted Stock; provided that no more than an aggregate amount of 225,000 shares of Restricted Stock may be issued under the Plan (such limit being herein referred to as the “Restricted Stock Cap”). Any shares of Restricted Stock that fail to vest and are forfeited shall not count against the Restricted Stock Cap set forth in the preceding sentence. The grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by Restricted Stock agreements containing such terms and provisions as are approved by the Board or the Committee and executed on behalf of the Company by an appropriate officer.

8. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Restricted Stock under the Plan (the “Date of Grant”) shall be the date on which the Board or the Committee grants an award of an Option or Restricted Stock or, if the Board or the Committee so determines, the date specified by the Board or the Committee as the date the award is to be effective. Notice of the grant shall be given to each Participant to whom an Option or Restricted Stock is granted promptly after the date of such grant.

9. Price. The exercise price for each share of Common Stock subject to an Option (the “Exercise Price”) granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan shall be determined by the Board or the Committee at the Date of Grant; provided, however, that (a) the Exercise Price for any Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date

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of Grant. If the Optionee owns on the Date of Grant more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, as more fully described in Section 422(b)(6) of the Code or any successor provision (such stockholder is referred to herein as a “10-Percent Stockholder”), the Exercise Price for any Qualified Option granted to such Optionee shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant. The Board or the Committee in its discretion may award shares of Restricted Stock under Section 7 of the Plan to Participants without requiring the payment of cash consideration for such shares.

10. Vesting. (a) Subject to the provisions of this Plan, each Option and Restricted Stock award under the Plan shall vest or be subject to forfeiture in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable Option agreement or Restricted Stock agreement. If no vesting provisions are set forth in an award agreement, the award shall vest ratably over a three-year period.

(b) In addition to the vesting provisions contained in each Option and Restricted Stock agreement, each Option and share of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall also be subject to the following vesting provisions:

(i) Each unvested Option and share of Restricted Stock shall immediately vest in full upon the death of the holder of such Option or Restricted Stock;

(ii) Each unvested Option and share of Restricted Stock shall immediately vest in full upon any Change in Control;

(iii) Each unvested Option and share of Restricted Stock shall immediately vest in full upon the permanent and total disability (as defined within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of the holder of such Option or Restricted Stock; and

(iv) In the event of the Qualifying Retirement of a Participant, all unvested Options and shares of Restricted Stock held by such Participant shall automatically vest in full as of the effective date of such Participant’s Qualifying Retirement.

11. Exercise. No Common Stock shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the exercise price therefore is received by the Company. Such payment may be made in cash or its equivalent or, if permitted by the Committee, (i) by exchanging shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant for at least six months (or for such greater or lesser period as the Committee may determine from time to time) and which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest, (ii) through an arrangement with a broker approved by the Company whereby payment of the exercise price is accomplished with the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock or (iii) by a combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Common Stock so tendered to the Company, valued as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to such exercise price of the portion of the Option being exercised. Additionally, to the extent authorized by the Committee (whether at or after the grant date), Options may be Net Exercised subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time impose. The Company may not make a loan to a Participant to facilitate such Participant’s exercise of any of his or her Options or payment of taxes. “Net Exercised” means the exercise of an Option or any

5

portion thereof by the delivery of the greatest number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise not in excess of the difference between the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option (or the portion of such Option then being exercised) and the aggregate exercise price for all such shares of Common Stock under the Option (or the portion thereof then being exercised), with any fractional share that would result from such equation to be payable in cash.

12. Expiration of Options. (a) No Option shall be exercisable at any time after the expiration of ten (10) years from the Date of Grant; provided, however, that if the Optionee with respect to a Qualified Option is a 10-Percent Stockholder on the Date of Grant of such Qualified Option, then such Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from its Date of Grant.

(b) In addition, if an Optionee ceases to be an Employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason, such Optionee’s vested Options shall expire on the earlier of (1) the expiration date contained in the corresponding Option Agreement, or (2) (a) 60 days following the date such Optionee ceases to be an Employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company or any Subsidiary, if such cessation of service is not due to the death, Qualifying Retirement or permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of the Optionee, (b) 12 months following the date such Optionee ceases to be an Employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company or any Subsidiary, if such cessation of service is due to the death or permanent and total disability (as defined above) of the Optionee, or (c) such later date as may be set forth in the corresponding option agreement. Options held by an Optionee who has retired pursuant to a Qualifying Retirement will remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date the Option was granted, and (ii) the first anniversary of the Optionee’s death. Upon the death of an Optionee, any vested Option exercisable on the date of death may be exercised by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise such Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Optionee, provided that such exercise occurs within the shorter of the remaining option term of the Option and 12 months after the date of the Optionee’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Qualified Options may only be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime, by the Participant.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any Option Agreement to the contrary, no Optionee may, under any circumstances, exercise a vested Option following termination of employment if the Optionee is discharged due to the Optionee’s willful or intentional fraud, embezzlement or other conduct seriously detrimental to the Company or any Subsidiary. The determination of whether or not an Optionee has been discharged for any of the reasons specified in the preceding sentence will be made by the Committee or the Board.

13. Option Financing. Upon the exercise of any Option granted under the Plan, the Company may, but shall not be required to, make financing available to the Participant for the purchase of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Option on such terms as the Board or the Committee may specify.

14. Withholding of Taxes. The Board or the Committee shall make such provisions and take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes that the Company is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority to withhold in connection with any Option or Restricted Stock including, but not limited to, withholding the

6

issuance of all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or Restricted Stock until the Participant reimburses the Company for the amount it is required to withhold with respect to such taxes, canceling any portion of such issuance in an amount sufficient to reimburse the Company for the amount it is required to withhold or taking any other action reasonably required to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligation.

15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. (a) The Company shall not be obligated to sell or issue any shares upon the exercise of any Option granted under the Plan or to deliver Restricted Stock unless the issuance and delivery of shares complies with all provisions of applicable federal and state securities laws and the requirements of any national exchange or trading system on which the Common Stock is then listed or traded.

(b) As a condition to the exercise of an Option or the grant of Restricted Stock, the Company may require the person exercising the Option or receiving the grant of Restricted Stock to make such representations and warranties as may be necessary to assure the availability of an exemption from the registration requirements of applicable federal and state securities laws.

(c) The Company shall not be liable for refusing to sell or issue any shares covered by any Option or for refusing to issue Restricted Stock if the Company cannot obtain authority from the appropriate regulatory bodies deemed by the Company to be necessary to sell or issue such shares in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and the requirements of any national exchange or trading system on which the Common Stock is then listed or traded. In addition, the Company shall have no obligation to any Participant, express or implied, to list, register or otherwise qualify the shares of Common Stock covered by any Option or Restricted Stock.

(d) No Participant will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any Common Stock subject to an Option unless and until the Option is vested, and the Participant has exercised the Option and paid the purchase price for the subject shares of Common Stock. Options and shares of Restricted Stock that have not fully vested shall be transferable only by will or the laws of descent and distribution and Options shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant; provided, however, that the Participant may transfer his or her Options and/or unvested Restricted Stock without consideration, to (i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant (“Immediate Family Members”), (ii) a trust or trusts, or to a guardian under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act, for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a partnership or other entity in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners, provided that subsequent transfers of transferred Options or unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be prohibited except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Following transfer, any such Options and/or unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that, for purposes of each award agreement and the vesting and expiration provisions thereof, the terms “Participant” and “Optionee” shall be deemed to refer to the transferee (however, the events of termination of employment, if any, set forth in the agreement and the obligation to pay withholding taxes shall continue to apply to the transferor). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Qualified Options shall be nontransferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may only be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime, by the Participant.

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16. Restrictions on Shares. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan may be subject to restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Board may impose such additional restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan as it deems desirable; any such restrictions shall be set forth in any award agreement entered into hereunder.

17. Modification of Awards. At any time and from time to time, the Board or the Committee may execute an instrument providing for modification, extension or renewal of any outstanding award, provided that no such modification, extension or renewal shall (a) impair any award without the consent of the holder of the award, or (b) decrease the exercise price of any Option without the consent of the stockholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a modification, extension or renewal of a Qualified Option, the Board or the Committee may increase the exercise price of such Option if necessary to retain the qualified status of such Option. Any amendment to the Plan shall apply to all Options and shares of Restricted Stock outstanding at the time of such amendment in addition to all awards granted thereafter, subject to the limitations of clause (a) of the first sentence of this Section 17, but in no event shall it apply to any Qualified Option if such action would cause the Qualified Option to lose its tax-advantaged status.

18. Effect of Change in Common Stock Subject to the Plan. (a) Equity Restructurings. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities of the Company through a non-reciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders that causes the per share fair market value underlying an Option or award or Restricted Stock to change, such as stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering, recapitalization through a large, non-recurring cash dividend, or other similar transaction, a proportionate adjustment shall be made to the number or kind of shares or securities allocated to Options or Restricted Stock awards that have been granted prior to any such change. Any such adjustment in an outstanding Option shall be made without change in the aggregate exercise price applicable to the unexercised portion of such Option but with a corresponding adjustment in the exercise price for each share of Common Stock or other unit of any security covered by such Option.

(b) Reciprocal Transactions. The Board may, but shall not be obligated to, make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment to an Option or Restricted Stock award or to the exercise price of any outstanding Option or Restricted Stock award, and/or grant an additional equity-based award to the holder of any outstanding Award, to compensate for the diminution in the intrinsic value of the shares of Common Stock resulting from any reciprocal transaction.

(c) Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. In recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements, or in recognition of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, and, whenever the Board determines that adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, the Board may, using reasonable care, make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards. In case of an Award designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception (as defined in Code Section 409A), the Board will take care not to make an adjustment that would disqualify the Award.

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(d) Fractional Shares and Notice. Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to this Section 18 may be settled in cash or otherwise as the Board determines. The Company will give notice of any adjustment to each Participant who holds an Award that has been adjusted and the adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) will be effective and binding for all Plan purposes.

19. Administration. (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a committee of the Board comprised solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by the Board who meet the independence standard established from time to time by the New York Stock Exchange (the “Committee”). Options and Restricted Stock may be granted under Sections 6 and 7, respectively, (i) by the Board as a whole, or (ii) by majority agreement of the members of the Committee. Subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth in this Plan, the Board or the Committee shall determine the number of Options or shares of Restricted Stock to be granted to each Participant, the number of shares subject to each Option or Restricted Stock grant, the exercise price or prices of each Option, the vesting and exercise period of each Option and the vesting and/or forfeiture provisions relating to Restricted Stock, whether an Option may be exercised as to less than all of the Common Stock subject thereto, and such other terms and conditions of each Option or grant of Restricted Stock, if any, as are consistent with the provisions of this Plan. To the extent permitted by applicable law (including the Exchange Act and the Code), the Board or the Committee may at any given time authorize an aggregate number of Options or shares of Restricted Stock to be granted to eligible Employees, and then authorize one or more officers of the Company (the “Authorized Officers”) to allocate such awards among eligible Employees; provided that the Authorized Officers may not allocate awards to themselves or other executive officers, and the terms of the awards, including the Exercise Price (if any) must be established by the Board or the Committee. Option agreements and Restricted Stock agreements, in the forms as approved by the Board or the Committee, and containing such terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of this Plan as are determined by the Board or the Committee, may be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President of the Company. The Board or the Committee shall have complete authority to construe, interpret and administer the provisions of this Plan and the provisions of the Option agreements and Restricted Stock agreements granted hereunder; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to this Plan; to suspend or discontinue this Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or deemed advisable in the administration of the Plan. The determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board or the Committee shall be final and conclusive. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action taken, or failed to be taken, made in good faith relating to the Plan or any award thereunder, and the members of the Board or the Committee shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(b) Although the Board or the Committee may suspend or discontinue the Plan at any time, all Qualified Options must be granted before February 24, 2007.

(c) Subject to any applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 or of any national exchange or trading system on which the Common Stock is then listed or traded, and subject to the stockholder approval requirements of Sections 422 and 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, the Board may amend any provision of this Plan in any respect in its discretion.

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20. Continued Employment Not Presumed. Nothing in this Plan or any document describing it nor the grant of any Option or Restricted Stock shall give any Participant the right to continue in the employment of the Company or affect the right of the Company to terminate the employment of any such person with or without cause.

21. Liability of the Company. Neither the Company, its directors, officers or employees or the Committee, nor any Subsidiary which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence, shall be liable to any Participant or other person if it is determined for any reason by the Internal Revenue Service or any court having jurisdiction that any Qualified Option granted hereunder does not qualify for tax treatment as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

22. Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the United States, as applicable, without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

23. Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, but such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had never been inserted herein.

Last Amended and Restated Effective March 8, 2012

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification

I, Gregg L. Engles, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dean Foods Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ GREGG L. ENGLES

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

May 9, 2012

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification

I, Shaun P. Mara, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dean Foods Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ SHAUN P. MARA

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

May 9, 2012

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dean Foods Company (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gregg L. Engles, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ GREGG L. ENGLES

Gregg L. Engles

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

Officer

May 9, 2012

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dean Foods Company (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Shaun P. Mara, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ SHAUN P. MARA

Shaun P. Mara

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

May 9, 2012

EX-99

EXHIBIT 99

DEAN HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	March 31, 2012
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,823
Receivables, net		313,985
Inventories		128,030
Deferred income taxes		22,852
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		6,528
Total current assets		482,218
Property, plant and equipment, net		514,234
Goodwill		46,428
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		185,372
Total	$	1,228,252
Liabilities and Parent’s Net Investment
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	217,665
Current portion of debt		10
Total current liabilities		217,675
Long-term debt		229,417
Deferred income taxes		103,770
Other long-term liabilities		45,008
Parent’s net investment:
Parent’s net investment		635,477
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,095	)
Total parent’s net investment		632,382
Total	$	1,228,252

DEAN HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Net sales	$	1,035,336
Cost of sales		810,230
Gross profit		225,106
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution		157,305
General and administrative		13,391
Amortization of intangibles		300
Total operating costs and expenses		170,996
Operating income		54,110
Other expense:
Interest expense		2,862
Other expense, net		30,012
Total other expense		32,874
Income before income taxes		21,236
Income taxes		7,843
Net income	$	13,393

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Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facility) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum sales total that results in required mandatory principal payments	$ 250,000,000
Receivables-Backed Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Period of LIBOR rate plus applicable margin	1
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	1,500,000,000
Term of debt, in years	5
Line of credit, amount outstanding	145,000,000
Average daily balance under facility	109,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding amount	2,200,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	350,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Swing Line Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On April 2, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	1,500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On April 2, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	1,275,000,000
Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On April 2, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	225,000,000
Conditions Not Requiring Prior Approval Under Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage, minimum	51.00%
Conditions Not Requiring Prior Approval Under Credit Agreement [Member] | Leverage Ratio Greater 4.5 Times [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum permitted leverage ratio	4.50
Restrictions On Certain Payments Pursuant To Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Leverage Ratio Greater 4.5 Times [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum permitted leverage ratio	4.50
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding amount	245,500,000
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] | Receivables-Backed Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	600,000,000
Line of credit, amount outstanding	279,500,000
Average daily balance under facility	271,200,000
Total value of receivables sold	886,900,000
Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt, in years	5
Debt instrument, principal amount	1,500,000,000
Outstanding borrowings under term loan	651,000,000
Term Loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt, in years	7
Debt instrument, principal amount	1,800,000,000
Outstanding borrowings under term loan	1,710,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Conditions Not Requiring Prior Approval Under Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Single acquisition amount permitted under credit agreements	500,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Conditions Not Requiring Prior Approval Under Credit Agreement [Member] | Leverage Ratio Greater 4.5 Times [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Single acquisition amount permitted under credit agreements	$ 100,000,000

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Phantom Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout range, cash performance units	0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout range, cash performance units	200.00%

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2012 Foreign Currency Forward Contract Maturing June 29, 2012 [Member] USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Expected repatriation of foreign earnings		€ 55
Notional amount of forward contract			70
Interest rate swap contract hedging activity to be reclassified within next 12 months	34.6
Commodities contract hedging activity to be reclassified within next 12 months	3.4
Foreign currency contract hedging activity to be reclassified within next 12 months	$ 0.2

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Schedule Of Geographic Information, Long-Lived Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment, Geographic And Customers Information [Abstract]
Long-lived assets, Domestic	$ 3,581,587	$ 3,594,443
Long-lived assets, Foreign	$ 454,156	$ 443,598

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Y
Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Options outstanding at January 1, 2012	19,628,200
Granted, Options	2,207,809
Forfeited and canceled, Options	(2,367,742)	[1]
Exercised, Options	(35,161)
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012	19,433,106
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012	15,856,092
Options outstanding at January 1, 2012, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 19.27
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 12.07
Forfeited and canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 13.15	[1]
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.48
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 19.17
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 20.83
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012, Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)	5.03
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012, Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)	4.08
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3,452,967
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 1,270,047

[1] Pursuant to the terms of our stock option plans, options that are forfeited or canceled may be available for future grants.

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Debt (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,214,094	$ 3,049,854
Cost of sales	2,426,241	2,299,572
Gross profit	787,853	750,282
Selling and distribution	504,235	485,802
General and administrative	129,505	164,662
General and administrative		167,400
Amortization of intangibles	2,285	2,738
Facility closing and reorganization costs	28,822	10,643
Other operating income		(19,490)
Interest expense	60,747	65,270
Other (income) expense, net	554	(48)
Income before income taxes	61,705	40,705
Income tax expense (benefit)	23,822	17,323
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	37,883	23,382
Net income	37,883	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	37,883	25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	19,748	41,059
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	57,631	66,322
Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
General and administrative	2,880
Interest expense	56,383
Other (income) expense, net	(2,900)
Income before income taxes	(56,363)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(21,551)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(34,812)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	72,695
Net income	37,883
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	6,464
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	44,347
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net sales	3,116,724
Cost of sales	2,369,974
Gross profit	746,750
Selling and distribution	477,477
General and administrative	116,388
Amortization of intangibles	1,954
Facility closing and reorganization costs	28,822
Interest expense	2,346
Other (income) expense, net	2,997
Income before income taxes	116,766
Income tax expense (benefit)	46,009
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	70,757
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	1,938
Net income	72,695
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	132
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	72,827
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net sales	97,370	99,994
Cost of sales	56,267	58,136
Gross profit	41,103	41,858
Selling and distribution	26,758	26,783
General and administrative	10,237
General and administrative		12,278
Amortization of intangibles	331
Interest expense	2,018	171
Other (income) expense, net	457	(547)
Income before income taxes	1,302	3,173
Income tax expense (benefit)	(636)	23
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	1,938	3,150
Net income	1,938	3,150
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		5,031
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	13,152	27,290
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	15,090	32,321
Eliminations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(74,633)
Net income	(74,633)
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	(74,633)
As Previously Reported [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
General and administrative		2,659
Interest expense		62,321
Other (income) expense, net		(2,700)
Income from subsidiaries		(102,985)
Income before income taxes		40,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,323
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		23,382
Net income		23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,658
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		38,921
As Previously Reported [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net sales		2,949,860
Cost of sales		2,241,436
Gross profit		708,424
Selling and distribution		459,019
General and administrative		152,463
Facility closing and reorganization costs		10,643
Other operating income		(19,490)
Interest expense		2,778
Other (income) expense, net		3,199
Income before income taxes		99,812
Income tax expense (benefit)		42,477
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		57,335
Net income		57,335
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		57,335
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		111
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		57,446
As Previously Reported [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Income from subsidiaries		102,985
Income before income taxes		(102,985)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(42,500)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(60,485)
Net income		(60,485)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(1,881)
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		(62,366)
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		(62,366)
As Restated [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
General and administrative		2,659
Interest expense		62,321
Other (income) expense, net		(2,700)
Income before income taxes		(62,280)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(25,177)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(37,103)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		62,366
Net income		25,263
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,658
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		38,921
As Restated [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net sales		2,949,860
Cost of sales		2,241,436
Gross profit		708,424
Selling and distribution		459,019
General and administrative		152,463
Facility closing and reorganization costs		10,643
Other operating income		(19,490)
Interest expense		2,778
Other (income) expense, net		3,199
Income before income taxes		99,812
Income tax expense (benefit)		42,477
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		57,335
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		5,031
Net income		62,366
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		62,366
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		111
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		62,477
As Restated [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(67,397)
Net income		(67,397)
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company		(67,397)
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company		$ (67,397)

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Divestitures (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011
Divestitures [Abstract]
Net pre-tax gain	$ 19.5

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	2,298,831
Stock units issued	990,480
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units	(705,223)
Stock units canceled or forfeited	(488,335)	[1]
Outstanding at March 31, 2012	2,095,753
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 12.70
Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	2,196,450
Stock units issued	944,778
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units	(673,503)
Stock units canceled or forfeited	(488,335)	[1]
Outstanding at March 31, 2012	1,979,390
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 12.77
Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	102,381
Stock units issued	45,702
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units	(31,720)
Stock units canceled or forfeited		[1]
Outstanding at March 31, 2012	116,363
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 11.22

[1] Pursuant to the terms of our stock unit plans, employees have the option of forfeiting stock units to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. Stock units that are canceled or forfeited become available for future grants.

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Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Schedule Of Debt Instruments

	March 31, 2012						December 31, 2011
	Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate			Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Dean Foods Company debt obligations:
Senior secured credit facility	$	2,509,326			2.77	%*	$	2,477,160			3.00	%*
Senior notes due 2016		499,010			7.00			498,959			7.00
Senior notes due 2018		400,000			9.75			400,000			9.75
		3,408,336						3,376,119
Subsidiary debt obligations:
Senior notes due 2017		129,543			6.90			129,117			6.90
Receivables-backed facility		279,490			1.25	**		260,000			1.31	**
Capital lease obligations and other		371						692
Alpro revolving credit facility		—						—
		409,404						389,809
		3,817,740						3,765,928
Less current portion		(253,661	)					(202,539	)
Total long-term portion	$	3,564,079					$	3,563,389

* Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, term loan A and term loan B.

** Represents a weighted-average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for indebtedness outstanding under the receivables securitization facility.

Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt

	Total			Term Loan A		Term Loan B			Other*
2012	$	195,689		$	160,481	$	13,256		$	21,952
2013		511,319			213,975		17,675			279,669
2014		1,076,054			276,384		676,230			123,440
2015		10,535			—		10,535			—
2016		970,923			—		470,923			500,000
Thereafter		1,066,667			—		524,667	**		542,000
Subtotal		3,831,187			650,840		1,713,286			1,467,061
Less discounts		(13,447	)		—		—			(13,447	)
Total outstanding debt	$	3,817,740		$	650,840	$	1,713,286		$	1,453,614

* Includes our senior secured revolving credit facility, receivables-backed facility, Dean Foods Company senior notes, subsidiary senior notes, capital lease obligations and other debt.

** The scheduled maturity of a portion of term loan B is April 2, 2017, subject to the condition that we meet certain leverage, debt, cash or credit rating tests as of December 31, 2015. However, if at least one of these tests is not met, the maturity date for this portion of term loan B will be April 2, 2016.

Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,534		$	—	$	118,775	$	—		$	130,309
Receivables, net		793			63,203		868,915		—			932,911
Income tax receivable		28,152			—		22		—			28,174
Inventories		—			449,642		26,610		—			476,252
Intercompany receivables		5,979			4,809,045		—		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			70,723		—		(70,723	)		—
Other current assets		24,968			119,185		11,090		—			155,243
Total current assets		71,426			5,511,798		1,025,412		(4,885,747	)		1,722,889
Property, plant and equipment, net		751			1,898,694		183,987		—			2,083,432
Goodwill		—			993,249		166,972		—			1,160,221
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		113,035			566,763		112,292		—			792,090
Investment in subsidiaries		7,862,861			503,325		—		(8,366,186	)		—
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	150,601		$	942,828	$	79,792	$	—		$	1,173,221
Intercompany payables		4,350,657			—		464,367		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note payable		—			—		70,723		(70,723	)		—
Current portion of debt		253,408			253		—		—			253,661
Total current liabilities		4,754,666			943,081		614,882		(4,885,747	)		1,426,882
Long-term debt		3,154,927			129,662		279,490		—			3,564,079
Other long-term liabilities		118,687			538,225		90,966		—			747,878
Long-term litigation settlement		72,525			—		—		—			72,525
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(52,732	)		7,862,861		503,325		(8,366,186	)		(52,732	)
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,061		$	6,221	$	105,569	$	—		$	114,851
Receivables, net		104			61,156		884,849		—			946,109
Income tax receivable		24,934			—		26					24,960
Inventories		—			426,126		26,024		—			452,150
Intercompany receivables		—			4,821,647		—		(4,821,647	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			125,000		—		(125,000	)		—
Other current assets		44,779			117,952		12,339		—			175,070
Assets held for sale		—			—		3,182		—			3,182
Total current assets		72,878			5,558,102		1,031,989		(4,946,647	)		1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net		413			1,931,787		182,180		—			2,114,380
Goodwill		—			993,250		162,021		—			1,155,271
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		69,904			587,442		111,044		—			768,390
Investment in subsidiaries		7,738,221			356,983		—		(8,095,204	)		—
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	148,543		$	1,012,736	$	70,886	$	—		$	1,232,165
Intercompany payables		4,245,143			—		576,504		(4,821,647	)		—
Current portion of debt		202,012			259		268		—			202,539
Intercompany note payable		—			—		125,000		(125,000	)		—
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838			—		—		—			60,838
Total current liabilities		4,656,536			1,012,995		772,658		(4,946,647	)		1,495,542
Long-term debt		3,174,107			129,282		260,000		—			3,563,389
Other long-term liabilities		81,171			547,066		92,846		—			721,083
Long-term litigation settlements		73,000			—		—		—			73,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		356,983		(8,095,204	)		(103,398	)
Non-controlling interest		—			—		4,747		—			4,747
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		361,730		(8,095,204	)		(98,651	)
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363

Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Comprehensive Income

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	3,116,724	$	97,370		$	—		$	3,214,094
Cost of sales		—			2,369,974		56,267			—			2,426,241
Gross profit		—			746,750		41,103			—			787,853
Selling and distribution		—			477,477		26,758			—			504,235
General and administrative		2,880			116,388		10,237			—			129,505
Amortization of intangibles		—			1,954		331						2,285
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			28,822		—			—			28,822
Interest expense		56,383			2,346		2,018			—			60,747
Other (income) expense, net		(2,900	)		2,997		457			—			554
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(56,363	)		116,766		1,302			—			61,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		(21,551	)		46,009		(636	)		—			23,822
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(34,812	)		70,757		1,938			—			37,883
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		72,695			1,938		—			(74,633	)		—
Net income		37,883			72,695		1,938			(74,633	)		37,883
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		6,464			132		13,152			—			19,748
Comprehensive income	$	44,347		$	72,827	$	15,090		$	(74,633	)	$	57,631

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated						As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	2,949,860		$	2,949,860		$	99,994		$	—		$	—		$	3,049,854
Cost of sales		—			—			2,241,436			2,241,436			58,136			—			—			2,299,572
Gross profit		—			—			708,424			708,424			41,858			—			—			750,282
Selling and distribution		—			—			459,019			459,019			26,783			—			—			485,802
General and administrative		2,659			2,659			152,463			152,463			12,278			—			—			167,400
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			—			10,643			10,643			—			—			—			10,643
Other operating income		—			—			(19,490	)		(19,490	)		—									(19,490	)
Interest expense		62,321			62,321			2,778			2,778			171			—			—			65,270
Other (income) expense, net		(2,700	)		(2,700	)		3,199			3,199			(547	)		—			—			(48	)
Income from subsidiaries		(102,985	)		—			—			—			—			102,985			—			—
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		40,705			(62,280	)		99,812			99,812			3,173			(102,985	)		—			40,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,323			(25,177	)		42,477			42,477			23			(42,500	)		—			17,323
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		23,382			(37,103	)		57,335			57,335			3,150			(60,485	)		—			23,382
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		—			62,366			—			5,031			—			—			(67,397	)		—
Net income		23,382			25,263			57,335			62,366			3,150			(60,485	)		(67,397	)		23,382
Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest		1,881			—			—			—			1,881			(1,881	)		—			1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	25,263		$	25,263		$	57,335		$	62,366		$	5,031		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,658			13,658			111			111			27,290			—			—			41,059
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	38,921		$	38,921		$	57,446		$	62,477		$	32,321		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	66,322

Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(79,145	)	$	53,993		$	28,374		$	3,222
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			(42,658	)		(1,859	)		(44,517	)
Proceeds from insurance claims		—			2,996			—			2,996
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			1,554			—			1,554
Other, net		—			(275	)		(515	)		(790	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			(38,383	)		(2,374	)		(40,757	)
Repayment of debt		(13,335	)		(51	)		—			(13,386	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		633,100			—			—			633,100
Payments for senior secured revolver		(587,600	)		—			—			(587,600	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			874,490			874,490
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			(855,000	)		(855,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(2,255	)		—			—			(2,255	)
Tax savings on share-based compensation		286			—			—			286
Net change in intercompany balances		57,422			(21,780	)		(35,642	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		87,618			(21,831	)		(16,152	)		49,635
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			3,358			3,358
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		8,473			(6,221	)		13,206			15,458
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,061			6,221			105,569			114,851
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,534		$	—		$	118,775		$	130,309

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	43,906		$	(12,058	)	$	36,391		$	92,556		$	(43,114	)	$	(43,315	)	$	37,183
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			—			(36,442	)		(36,442	)		(3,969	)		(3,969	)		(40,411	)
Proceeds from divestitures		—			—			91,780			91,780			—			—			91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			—			1,767			1,767			40			40			1,807
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			—			57,105			57,105			(3,929	)		(3,929	)		53,176
Repayment of debt		(101,625	)		(101,625	)		(4,056	)		(4,056	)		(256	)		(256	)		(105,937	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		1,090,800			1,090,800			—			—			—			—			1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(1,063,900	)		(1,063,900	)		—			—			—			—			(1,063,900	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			1,105,000			1,105,000			1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(580	)		(580	)		—			—			—			—			(580	)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		—			—			—			—			2,913			2,913			2,913
Net change in intercompany balances		43,087			99,051			(88,629	)		(144,794	)		45,542			45,743			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(32,218	)		23,746			(92,685	)		(148,850	)		48,199			48,400			(76,704	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			—			2,947			2,947			2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		11,688			11,688			811			811			4,103			4,103			16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		307			307			9,750			9,750			81,950			81,950			92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,995		$	11,995		$	10,561		$	10,561		$	86,053		$	86,053		$	108,609

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Derivatives Recorded At Fair Value In Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 7,684		$ 2,510
Derivative Liabilities	105,281		106,173
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member] | Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	767	[1]	93	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	2,962	[1]	2,346	[1]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	196	[1]	411	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	0	[1]	0	[1]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	34,570	[1]	38,260	[1]
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Noncurrent [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Derivative Liabilities	58,814	[2]	64,037	[2]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodities Contracts [Member] | Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	6,721	[1]	2,006	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	5,996	[1]	1,530	[1]
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	$ 2,939	[1]	$ 0	[1]

[1] Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in identifiable intangible and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Debt (Alpro Revolving Credit Facility) (Details) (Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Maturing On July 2, 2012 [Member], Alpro [Member], EUR €) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	€ 1
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jul. 02, 2012
Letter Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	€ 1

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Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Gross Carrying Amount And Accumulated Amortization Of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 732,594		$ 728,978
Total, Accumulated Amortization	(61,004)		(58,590)
Total, Net Carrying Amount	671,590		670,388
Customer-Related And Other [Member]
Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets with finite lives, Gross Carrying Amount	132,655		131,751
Intangible assets with finite lives, Accumulated Amortization	(55,800)		(53,652)
Intangible assets with finite lives, Net Carrying Amount	76,855		78,099
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets with finite lives, Gross Carrying Amount	10,564		10,564
Intangible assets with finite lives, Accumulated Amortization	(5,204)		(4,938)
Intangible assets with finite lives, Net Carrying Amount	5,360		5,626
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, Gross Carrying Amount	589,375	[1]	586,663	[1]
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, Net Carrying Amount	$ 589,375	[1]	$ 586,663	[1]

[1] The increase in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived trademarks between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 is the result of foreign currency translation adjustments.

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Summary Of Derivative Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability, Fair Value	$ 93,384	$ 102,297
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability, Fair Value
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability, Fair Value	93,384	102,297
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability, Fair Value
Commodities Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value	7,489	2,099
Liability, Fair Value	8,958	3,876
Commodities Contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value
Liability, Fair Value
Commodities Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value	7,489	2,099
Liability, Fair Value	8,958	3,876
Commodities Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value
Liability, Fair Value
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value	196	411
Liability, Fair Value	2,939
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value
Liability, Fair Value
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value	196	411
Liability, Fair Value	2,939
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset, Fair Value
Liability, Fair Value

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Schedule Of Net Sales, By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	$ 3,214,094	$ 3,049,854
Intersegment sales	115,242	128,851
Operating income	123,006	105,927
Facility closing and reorganization costs	(28,822)	(10,643)
Other operating income		19,490
Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	2,318,142	2,234,522
Intersegment sales	13,380	17,372
Operating income	101,196	86,038
WhiteWave-Alpro [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	571,215	506,560
Intersegment sales	29,298	27,785
Operating income	60,310	46,091
Morningstar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	324,737	308,772
Intersegment sales	72,564	83,694
Operating income	28,750	25,444
Total Reportable Segments Operating Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	190,256	157,573
Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (38,428)	$ (60,493)

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Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of The Numerators And Denominators Used In The Computations Of Both Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$ 37,883		$ 23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 37,883		$ 25,263
Average common shares	184,104,804		182,817,066
Basic EPS from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.21		$ 0.14
Stock option conversion	42,301	[1]	8,406	[1]
Stock units	800,576	[2]	467,405	[2]
Average common shares - diluted	184,947,681		183,292,877
Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.20		$ 0.14
Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded	18,571,275		21,628,925
Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded	421,509		464,217

[1] Anti-dilutive common shares excluded

[2] Anti-dilutive stock units excluded

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Debt (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 3,222	$ 37,183
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(44,517)	(40,411)
Proceeds from insurance claims	2,996
Proceeds from divestitures		91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	1,554	1,807
Other, net	(790)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(40,757)	53,176
Repayment of debt	(13,386)	(105,937)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver	633,100	1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver	(587,600)	(1,063,900)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility	874,490	1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility	(855,000)	(1,105,000)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes	(2,255)	(580)
Tax savings on share-based compensation	286
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		2,913
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	49,635	(76,704)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,358	2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	15,458	16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	114,851	92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	130,309	108,609
Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(79,145)
Repayment of debt	(13,335)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver	633,100
Payments for senior secured revolver	(587,600)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes	(2,255)
Tax savings on share-based compensation	286
Net change in intercompany balances	57,422
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	87,618
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	8,473
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,061
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	11,534
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	53,993
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(42,658)
Proceeds from insurance claims	2,996
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	1,554
Other, net	(275)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(38,383)
Repayment of debt	(51)
Net change in intercompany balances	(21,780)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(21,831)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,221)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,221
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,374
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(1,859)
Other, net	(515)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,374)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility	874,490
Payments for receivables-backed facility	(855,000)
Net change in intercompany balances	(35,642)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(16,152)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,358
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	13,206
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	105,569
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	118,775
As Previously Reported [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		43,906
Repayment of debt		(101,625)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(1,063,900)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(580)
Net change in intercompany balances		43,087
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(32,218)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		11,688
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		307
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		11,995
As Previously Reported [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		36,391
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(36,442)
Proceeds from divestitures		91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		1,767
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		57,105
Repayment of debt		(4,056)
Net change in intercompany balances		(88,629)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(92,685)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		811
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		9,750
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		10,561
As Previously Reported [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(43,114)
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(3,969)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		40
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(3,929)
Repayment of debt		(256)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		(1,105,000)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		2,913
Net change in intercompany balances		45,542
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		48,199
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		4,103
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		81,950
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		86,053
As Restated [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(12,058)
Repayment of debt		(101,625)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(1,063,900)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(580)
Net change in intercompany balances		99,051
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		23,746
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		11,688
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		307
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		11,995
As Restated [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		92,556
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(36,442)
Proceeds from divestitures		91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		1,767
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		57,105
Repayment of debt		(4,056)
Net change in intercompany balances		(144,794)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(148,850)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		811
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		9,750
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		10,561
As Restated [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(43,315)
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(3,969)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		40
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(3,929)
Repayment of debt		(256)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		(1,105,000)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		2,913
Net change in intercompany balances		45,743
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		48,400
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		4,103
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		81,950
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$ 86,053

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General

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

General [Abstract]

General

1. General

Nature of Our Business — We are a leading food and beverage company in the United States, as well as a global leader in branded plant-based beverages, such as soy, almond and coconut milks, and other plant-based food products. We align our leadership teams, operating strategies and supply chain initiatives around our three lines of business: Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar.

Fresh Dairy Direct is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the United States, with products such as milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products sold under more than 50 familiar local and regional brands and a wide array of private labels.

WhiteWave-Alpro markets and sells a variety of nationally branded value-added dairy products, such as Horizon Organic^® milk; nationally branded coffee creamers and beverages, including International Delight^® and LAND O LAKES^®; and nationally and internationally branded plant-based foods and beverages, such as Silk ^® soy, almond and coconut milks, and Alpro^® and Provamel^® soy, almond and hazelnut drinks and food products.

Morningstar is a leading U.S. manufacturer of extended shelf life ("ESL") creams and creamers, beverages and cultured dairy products with an emphasis on foodservice and private label retail customers. These products include half and half, whipping cream, ice cream mix, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese and are sold under a wide array of private labels and the Friendship™ brand.

Basis of Presentation —The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared on the same basis as the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the "2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K"), which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2012. In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) in order to present fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted. Our results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2012 may not be indicative of our operating results for the full year. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to "we," "us" or "our" refer to Dean Foods Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

During the first quarter of 2012 we completed the shutdown of the operations of our 50% owned joint venture between WhiteWave and Hero Group, which was part of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment. For the three months ended and as of March 31, 2012, the joint venture's operations were immaterial and only an immaterial amount of assets remain as part of our investment. We may incur additional charges related to our final settlement with Hero Group

In the fourth quarter of 2011, our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, changed the way he determines strategy and investment plans for our operations. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar operations were separated so that our three reporting segments now consist of Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar. This change reflects the divergence between the go-to-market strategies, customer bases and objectives of our businesses and reflects a change in how we expect to deploy our capital in the future. We believe these revised segments have increased internal focus and offered management and investors improved visibility into the performance of the segments against their specific objectives. All segment results set forth herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated net sales or operating income.

.

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Employee Retirement And Postretirement Benefits (Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,126	$ 710
Interest cost	3,631	3,803
Expected return on plan assets	(4,402)	(4,241)
Unrecognized transition obligation	28	28
Prior service cost/(credit)	194	191
Unrecognized net loss	2,918	2,265
Net periodic benefit cost	3,495	2,756
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	147	7
Interest cost	337	190
Prior service cost/(credit)	6	(16)
Unrecognized net loss	32	124
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 522	$ 305

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Debt (Schedule Of Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Dean Foods Company [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Subsidiary [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Subsidiary [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Alpro [Member] Subsidiary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Alpro [Member] Subsidiary [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Secured Debt [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Secured Debt [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	May 17, 2006 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] Subsidiary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] Subsidiary [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 16, 2010 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured credit facility											$ 2,509,326		$ 2,477,160
Senior notes															499,010	498,959		129,543	129,117	400,000	400,000
Long-term debt	3,817,740	3,765,928	3,408,336	3,376,119	409,404		389,809
Interest Rate															7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	6.90%	6.90%	9.75%	9.75%	9.75%
Weighted average rate					1.25%	[1]	1.31%	[1]			2.77%	[2]	3.00%	[2]
Capital lease obligations and other					371		692
Alpro revolving credit facility					279,490		260,000
Less current portion	(253,661)	(202,539)
Total long-term portion	$ 3,564,079	$ 3,563,389	$ 3,154,927	$ 3,174,107

[1] Represents a weighted-average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for indebtedness outstanding under the receivables securitization facility.

[2] Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, term loan A and term loan B.

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Employee Retirement And Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	1,126		$	710
Interest cost		3,631			3,803
Expected return on plan assets		(4,402	)		(4,241	)
Amortizations:
Unrecognized transition obligation		28			28
Prior service cost		194			191
Unrecognized net loss		2,918			2,265
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,495		$	2,756

Postretirement Benefits [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	147	$	7
Interest cost		337		190
Amortizations:
Prior service cost/(credit)		6		(16	)
Unrecognized net loss		32		124
Net periodic benefit cost	$	522	$	305

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule Of Reconciliation Of The Numerators And Denominators Used In The Computations Of Both Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands, except share data)
Basic EPS computation:
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares		184,104,804		182,817,066
Basic EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.21	$	0.14
Diluted EPS computation
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares — basic		184,104,804		182,817,066
Stock option conversion(1)		42,301		8,406
Stock units(2)		800,576		467,405
Average common shares — diluted		184,947,681		183,292,877
Diluted EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.20	$	0.14

(1) Anti-dilutive common shares excluded 18,571,275 21,628,925

(2) Anti-dilutive stock units excluded 421,509 464,217

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Weighted Average Assumptions Used To Estimate The Fair Value Of Grants Issued) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected volatility	44.00%	41.00%
Expected dividend yield
Expected option term (years)	5	5
Risk-free rate of return, minimum	0.88%	2.19%
Risk-free rate of return, maximum	0.89%	2.30%

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Debt (Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Term Loan A [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Term Loan B [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Other [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2012	$ 195,689		$ 160,481	$ 13,256		$ 21,952	[1]
2013	511,319		213,975	17,675		279,669	[1]
2014	1,076,054		276,384	676,230		123,440	[1]
2015	10,535			10,535			[1]
2016	970,923			470,923		500,000	[1]
Thereafter	1,066,667			524,667	[2]	542,000	[1]
Subtotal	3,831,187		650,840	1,713,286		1,467,061	[1]
Less discounts	(13,447)					(13,447)	[1]
Total outstanding debt	$ 3,817,740	$ 3,765,928	$ 650,840	$ 1,713,286		$ 1,453,614	[1]	$ 3,408,336	$ 3,376,119
Debt instrument, maturity date				Apr. 02, 2017
Conditional maturity date				Apr. 02, 2016

[1] Includes our senior secured revolving credit facility, receivables-backed facility, Dean Foods Company senior notes, subsidiary senior notes, capital lease obligations and other debt.

[2] The scheduled maturity of a portion of term loan B is April 2, 2017, subject to the condition that we meet certain leverage, debt, cash or credit rating tests as of December 31, 2015. However, if at least one of these tests is not met, the maturity date for this portion of term loan B will be April 2, 2016.

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Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs [Abstract]

Approved Plans And Related Charges

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Fresh Dairy Direct:
Closure of facilities(1)	$	817		$	1,081
Functional Realignment(5)		25,336			—
Organization Optimization Initiative (4)		(17	)		1,491
Total Fresh Dairy Direct		26,136			2,572
Morningstar:
Closure of facilities(2)		3,387			—
Corporate:
Department Realignment(3)		(44	)		2,971
Organization Optimization Initiative(4)		(657	)		5,100
Total Corporate		(701	)		8,071
Total	$	28,822		$	10,643

(1) These charges in 2012 and 2011 primarily relate to facility closures in Newport, Kentucky; Baxley, Georgia; and Florence, South Carolina, as well as previously announced closures. We have incurred $55.8 million of charges related to these initiatives to date. We expect to incur additional charges related to Fresh Dairy Direct facility closures of $1.2 million, related to shutdown and other costs. As we continue the evaluation of our supply chain, it is likely that we will close additional facilities in the future.

(2) These charges in 2012 relate to workforce reduction costs and asset write-downs associated with the announced closure of our Sulphur Springs, Texas cultured production facility. We expect to incur additional charges related to this facility closure of $0.5 million, related to shutdown and other costs.

(3) Charges relate to workforce reduction costs associated with a multi-year cost reduction plan aimed at centralization and process improvement, as well as business unit and functional organization redesigns. The plan was implemented during the fourth quarter of 2010 and resulted in the elimination of approximately 75 positions as each function reorganized its processes in line with peer comparisons and internally developed functional blueprints as approved by an executive operating team. We incurred total charges of $5.4 million related to this initiative and do not expect to incur any additional charges going forward.

(4) In the first quarter of 2011 we initiated a significant cost reduction program that was incremental to our other ongoing cost-savings initiatives. This initiative was focused on permanently removing costs out of our business through organizational and corporate departmental redesigns, driven by process simplification and standardization, centralization of activities and reorganization to drive growth in our core customers and categories. As part of this program, we eliminated approximately 300 corporate and field positions during 2011. The charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011 relate to workforce reduction costs associated with the first tranche of this program and include costs associated with eliminating the position filled by our then President and Chief Operating Officer. We have incurred $24.2 million of charges related to this initiative to date, and we do not expect to incur any material additional charges related to this plan going forward.

(5) During the first quarter of 2012, our management team reassessed our company-wide strategy, resulting in a shift in focus to deploying our capital and strategically investing in the value-added segments of our business. With this new strategy, our goal is to invest our strategic capital primarily in those initiatives that yield higher returns over shorter time frames. In connection with this change, our management team approved a cost reduction plan that is incremental to any other prior cost savings initiative. This initiative is focused on aligning key functions within the Fresh Dairy Direct organization under a single leadership team and permanently removing costs from the Fresh Dairy Direct organization as well as certain functions that support this segment of our business. We eliminated approximately 120 corporate positions throughout the first quarter of 2012 under this initiative. Charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 are related to workforce reduction costs, the write-down of certain information technology assets and costs associated with exiting other commitments deemed not necessary to execute our new strategy. We expect to incur additional charges under this initiative ranging from approximately $3 million to approximately $7 million, primarily related to lease termination costs and the disposal of certain leasehold improvements.

Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs

	Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011			Charges		Payments			Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cash charges:
Workforce reduction costs	$	5,185		$	15,017	$	(13,681	)	$	6,521
Shutdown costs		(41	)		566		(566	)		(41	)
Lease obligations after shutdown		—			51		(51	)		—
Other		3			1,884		(1,784	)		103
Subtotal	$	5,147			17,518	$	(16,082	)	$	6,583
Noncash charges:
Write-down of assets					11,081
Loss on sale of related assets					193
Other					30
Total charges				$	28,822

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment, Geographic And Customers Information [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Sales, By Segment

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,318,142		$	2,234,522
WhiteWave-Alpro		571,215			506,560
Morningstar		324,737			308,772
Total	$	3,214,094		$	3,049,854
Intersegment sales:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	13,380		$	17,372
WhiteWave-Alpro		29,298			27,785
Morningstar		72,564			83,694
Total	$	115,242		$	128,851
Operating income:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	101,196		$	86,038
WhiteWave-Alpro		60,310			46,091
Morningstar		28,750			25,444
Total reportable segment operating income		190,256			157,573
Corporate and Other		(38,428	)		(60,493	)
Facility closing and reorganization costs		(28,822	)		(10,643	)
Other operating income		—			19,490
Total	$	123,006		$	105,927

Schedule Of Assets, By Segment

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,650,241	$	2,669,001
WhiteWave-Alpro		2,111,413		2,086,097
Morningstar		675,221		670,870
Corporate		321,757		325,213
Assets held for sale		—		3,182
Total	$	5,758,632	$	5,754,363

Schedule Of Geographic Information, Net Sales

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Domestic	$	3,116,723	$	2,952,807
Foreign		97,371		97,047

Schedule Of Geographic Information, Long-Lived Assets

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Long-lived assets:
Domestic	$	3,581,587	$	3,594,443
Foreign		454,156		443,598

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Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 37,883	$ 23,382
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	70,930	72,324
Share-based compensation expense	3,412	9,105
(Gain) loss on divestitures and other, net	14,725	(11,525)
Deferred income taxes	29,097	(5,383)
Other	2,255	9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	14,861	(39,902)
Inventories	(23,646)	(41,096)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,237)	(3,085)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(76,944)	11,996
Income taxes receivable/payable	(6,789)	21,358
Litigation settlements	(61,325)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,222	37,183
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(44,517)	(40,411)
Proceeds from insurance claims	2,996
Proceeds from divestitures		91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	1,554	1,807
Other, net	(790)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(40,757)	53,176
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(13,386)	(105,937)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver	633,100	1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver	(587,600)	(1,063,900)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility	874,490	1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility	(855,000)	(1,105,000)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes	(2,255)	(580)
Tax savings on share-based compensation	286
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		2,913
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	49,635	(76,704)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,358	2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	15,458	16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	114,851	92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 130,309	$ 108,609

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General (Details)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

General [Line Items]

Number of reportable segments

3

3

Number of brands

50

Description of effect on previously reported segment information for change in composition of reportable segments

In the fourth quarter of 2011, our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, changed the way he determines strategy and investment plans for our operations. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar operations were separated so that our three reporting segments now consist of Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar. This change reflects the divergence between the go-to-market strategies, customer bases and objectives of our businesses and reflects a change in how we expect to deploy our capital in the future. We believe these revised segments have increased internal focus and offered management and investors improved visibility into the performance of the segments against their specific objectives. All segment results set forth herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated net sales or operating income.

WhiteWave And Hero Group [Member]

General [Line Items]

Percentage of joint venture owned

50.00%

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Debt (Receivables-Backed Facility) (Details) (USD $)				0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Subsidiary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Subsidiary [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member]	Feb. 21, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] Receivables-Backed Facility [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] Receivables-Backed Facility [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] Receivables-Backed Facility And Standby Letters Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding amount			$ 245,500,000
Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					600,000,000	300,000,000
Value of receivables sold to asset securitization facility					886,900,000
Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization					874,500,000
Repayments of accounts receivable securitization					855,000,000
Average daily balance under facility					271,200,000
Line of credit, amount outstanding	279,490,000	260,000,000			279,500,000
Issuance of standby letter of credit				$ 80,000,000

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Carrying Value And Fair Value Of Senior And Subsidiary Senior Notes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] | Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, Carrying Value	$ 129,543	$ 129,117
Senior notes, Fair Value	140,935	136,853
Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, Carrying Value	499,010	498,959
Senior notes, Fair Value	513,750	493,750
Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, Carrying Value	400,000	400,000
Senior notes, Fair Value	$ 440,000	$ 426,000

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 130,309	$ 114,851
Receivables, net	932,911	946,109
Income tax receivable	28,174	24,960
Inventories	476,252	452,150
Deferred income taxes	82,654	109,475
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	72,589	65,595
Assets held for sale		3,182
Total current assets	1,722,889	1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,083,432	2,114,380
Goodwill	1,160,221	1,155,271
Deferred income taxes	25,507
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	766,583	768,390
Total	5,758,632	5,754,363
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,173,221	1,232,165
Current portion of debt	253,661	202,539
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838
Total current liabilities	1,426,882	1,495,542
Long-term debt	3,564,079	3,563,389
Deferred income taxes	329,752	292,539
Other long-term liabilities	418,126	428,544
Long-term litigation settlements	72,525	73,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Dean Foods Company stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock, none issued
Common stock, 184,499,684 and 183,745,789 shares issued and outstanding, with a par value of $0.01 per share	1,845	1,837
Additional paid-in capital	1,079,831	1,086,804
Accumulated deficit	(954,636)	(992,519)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(179,772)	(199,520)
Total Dean Foods Company stockholders' deficit	(52,732)	(103,398)
Non-controlling interest		4,747
Total stockholders' deficit	(52,732)	(98,651)
Total	$ 5,758,632	$ 5,754,363

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Debt (Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 130,309	$ 114,851	$ 108,609	$ 92,007
Receivables, net	932,911	946,109
Income tax receivable	28,174	24,960
Inventories	476,252	452,150
Other current assets	155,243	175,070
Assets held for sale		3,182
Total current assets	1,722,889	1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,083,432	2,114,380
Goodwill	1,160,221	1,155,271
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	792,090	768,390
Total	5,758,632	5,754,363
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,173,221	1,232,165
Current portion of debt	253,661	202,539
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838
Total current liabilities	1,426,882	1,495,542
Long-term debt	3,564,079	3,563,389
Other long-term liabilities	747,878	721,083
Long-term litigation settlements	72,525	73,000
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)	(52,732)	(103,398)
Non-controlling interest		4,747
Total stockholders' deficit	(52,732)	(98,651)	1,582,936	1,514,068
Total	5,758,632	5,754,363
Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	11,534	3,061
Receivables, net	793	104
Income tax receivable	28,152	24,934
Intercompany receivables	5,979
Other current assets	24,968	44,779
Total current assets	71,426	72,878
Property, plant and equipment, net	751	413
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	113,035	69,904
Investment in subsidiaries	7,862,861	7,738,221
Total	8,048,073	7,881,416
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	150,601	148,543
Intercompany payables	4,350,657	4,245,143
Current portion of debt	253,408	202,012
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838
Total current liabilities	4,754,666	4,656,536
Long-term debt	3,154,927	3,174,107
Other long-term liabilities	118,687	81,171
Long-term litigation settlements	72,525	73,000
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		(103,398)
Total stockholders' deficit	(52,732)	(103,398)
Total	8,048,073	7,881,416
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		6,221
Receivables, net	63,203	61,156
Inventories	449,642	426,126
Intercompany receivables	4,809,045	4,821,647
Intercompany note receivable	70,723	125,000
Other current assets	119,185	117,952
Total current assets	5,511,798	5,558,102
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,898,694	1,931,787
Goodwill	993,249	993,250
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	566,763	587,442
Investment in subsidiaries	503,325	356,983
Total	9,473,829	9,427,564
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	942,828	1,012,736
Current portion of debt	253	259
Total current liabilities	943,081	1,012,995
Long-term debt	129,662	129,282
Other long-term liabilities	538,225	547,066
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		7,738,221
Total stockholders' deficit	7,862,861	7,738,221
Total	9,473,829	9,427,564
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	118,775	105,569
Receivables, net	868,915	884,849
Income tax receivable	22	26
Inventories	26,610	26,024
Other current assets	11,090	12,339
Assets held for sale		3,182
Total current assets	1,025,412	1,031,989
Property, plant and equipment, net	183,987	182,180
Goodwill	166,972	162,021
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net	112,292	111,044
Total	1,488,663	1,487,234
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	79,792	70,886
Intercompany payables	464,367	576,504
Current portion of debt		268
Intercompany note payable	70,723	125,000
Total current liabilities	614,882	772,658
Long-term debt	279,490	260,000
Other long-term liabilities	90,966	92,846
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		356,983
Non-controlling interest		4,747
Total stockholders' deficit	503,325	361,730
Total	1,488,663	1,487,234
Eliminations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Intercompany receivables	(4,815,024)	(4,821,647)
Intercompany note receivable	(70,723)	(125,000)
Total current assets	(4,885,747)	(4,946,647)
Investment in subsidiaries	(8,366,186)	(8,095,204)
Total	(13,251,933)	(13,041,851)
Intercompany payables	(4,815,024)	(4,821,647)
Intercompany note payable	(70,723)	(125,000)
Total current liabilities	(4,885,747)	(4,946,647)
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		(8,095,204)
Total stockholders' deficit	(8,366,186)	(8,095,204)
Total	(13,251,933)	(13,041,851)
As Previously Reported [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			11,995	307
As Previously Reported [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			10,561	9,750
As Previously Reported [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			86,053	81,950
As Restated [Member] | Dean Foods Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			11,995	307
As Restated [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			10,561	9,750
As Restated [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 86,053	$ 81,950

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Deficit (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,823	$ 1,061,253	$ 583,102	$ (146,653)	$ 14,543	$ 1,514,068
Balance, in shares at Dec. 31, 2010	182,255,334
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	9	(6,887)				(6,878)
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation, in shares	930,032
Share-based compensation expense		8,392				8,392
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest					2,913	2,913
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest					(1,881)	(1,881)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company			25,263			25,263
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax (benefit)				1,581		1,581
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax				10,519		10,519
Cumulative translation adjustment				27,418		27,418
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax				1,541		1,541
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	1,832	1,062,758	608,365	(105,594)	15,575	1,582,936
Balance, in shares at Mar. 31, 2011	183,185,366
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,837	1,086,804	(992,519)	(199,520)	4,747	(98,651)
Balance, in shares at Dec. 31, 2011	183,745,789					183,745,789
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	8	(8,603)				(8,595)
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation, in shares	753,895
Share-based compensation expense		1,630				1,630
Wind-down of joint venture					(4,747)	(4,747)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company			37,883			37,883
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax (benefit)				(4,363)		(4,363)
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, net of tax				9,089		9,089
Cumulative translation adjustment				13,303		13,303
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax				1,719		1,719
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 1,845	$ 1,079,831	$ (954,636)	$ (179,772)		$ (52,732)
Balance, in shares at Mar. 31, 2012	184,499,684					184,499,684

XML

Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Phantom Share Activity) (Details) (Phantom Shares [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Phantom Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	1,081,668
Granted	893,409
Converted/paid	(320,084)
Forfeited	(120,394)
Outstanding at March 31, 2012	1,534,599
Outstanding January 1, 2012, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 10.36
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 12.07
Converted/paid, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 10.35
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 10.46
Outstanding at March 31, 2012, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 11.35

XML

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization expense on intangible assets	$ 2.3	$ 2.7

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 21, 2001	Mar. 31, 2012 Contingent Promissory Note [Member] Y	Mar. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] Y	Mar. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] Y	Mar. 31, 2012 Tennessee And Mississippi Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Tennessee And Mississippi Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Tennessee And Mississippi Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Jul. 05, 2007 Tennessee And Mississippi Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Feb. 21, 2012 Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions [Member] Minimum [Member] Y	Mar. 31, 2012 Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions [Member] Maximum [Member] Y	Feb. 21, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] Receivables-Backed Facility [Member]	Feb. 21, 2012 Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] Receivables-Backed Facility [Member] Standby Letters Of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Acquired interest percentage		33.80%
Principal amount of contingent promissory note			$ 40
Promissory note, term (years)			20
Contingent promissory note, maximum amount including interest			96
Insurance deductible for casualty claims	2.0
Lease term, (years)				1	20
Number of pending cases						6		4	2
Name of the settlement agreement preliminary approval court						United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Preliminary approval of the settlement agreement										July 14, 2011
Amount of settlement agreement										140
Time period for distribution of funds for settlement, in years												4	5
Initial payment into an escrow account											60
Issuance of standby letter of credit														80	80
Payments for legal settlements													20
Present value of litigation settlement							$ 131.3
Discount rate used to determine present value of litigation settlement							4.77%

XML

Segment, Geographic And Customer Information (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment, Geographic And Customers Information [Abstract]

Segment, Geographic And Customers Information

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating income or loss before gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, litigation settlements, foreign exchange gains and losses and write-downs related to the wind-down of our joint venture. The reporting segments do not include an allocation of the costs related to shared services such as audit services, corporate development, human resources, strategy, tax or treasury. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to our segments and is reflected entirely within the caption "Corporate and Other". Therefore, the measure of segment profit or loss presented below is before such items. Additionally, a portion of our WhiteWave-Alpro products are sold by Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar. Those sales, together with their related costs, are included in the WhiteWave-Alpro segment for reporting purposes. A portion of our Fresh Dairy Direct products are manufactured by our Morningstar segment. Sales of those products, together with their related costs, are included in the Fresh Dairy Direct segment for reporting purposes.

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Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	$ 1,155,271
Foreign currency translation	4,950
Balance at March 31, 2012	1,160,221
Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	86,841
Foreign currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2012	86,841
WhiteWave-Alpro [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	762,336
Foreign currency translation	4,950
Balance at March 31, 2012	767,286
Morningstar [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	306,094
Foreign currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2012	$ 306,094

XML

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill

	Fresh Dairy Direct		WhiteWave- Alpro		Morningstar		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	86,841	$	762,336	$	306,094	$	1,155,271
Foreign currency translation		—		4,950		—		4,950
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	86,841	$	767,286	$	306,094	$	1,160,221

Schedule Of Gross Carrying Amount And Accumulated Amortization Of Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

	March 31, 2012							December 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trademarks(1)	$	589,375	$	—		$	589,375	$	586,663	$	—		$	586,663
Intangible assets with finite lives:
Customer-related and other		132,655		(55,800	)		76,855		131,751		(53,652	)		78,099
Trademarks		10,564		(5,204	)		5,360		10,564		(4,938	)		5,626
Total	$	732,594	$	(61,004	)	$	671,590	$	728,978	$	(58,590	)	$	670,388

(1) The increase in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived trademarks between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 is the result of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Schedule Of Amortization Expense On Intangible Assets

2012	$	9.3
2013		9.2
2014		8.6
2015		8.5
2016		8.4

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Schedule Of Assets, By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,758,632	$ 5,754,363
Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,650,241	2,669,001
WhiteWave-Alpro [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,111,413	2,086,097
Morningstar [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	675,221	670,870
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	321,757	325,213
Assets Held For Sale [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets		$ 3,182

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Deficit (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Deficit [Abstract]
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, tax (benefit)	$ (2,923)	$ 882
Amounts reclassified to income statement related to hedging activities, tax	6,060	5,469
Pension liability adjustment, tax	$ 1,370	$ 1,007

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Common stock, shares issued	184,499,684	183,745,789
Common stock, shares outstanding	184,499,684	183,745,789
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

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Employee Retirement And Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Employee Retirement and Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Retirement And Postretirement Benefits

9. Employee Retirement and Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor various defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, including various employee savings and profit sharing plans, and contribute to various multiemployer pension plans on behalf of our employees. Substantially all full-time union and non-union employees who have completed one or more years of service and have met other requirements pursuant to the plans are eligible to participate in one or more of these plans.

Defined Benefit Plans — The benefits under our defined benefit plans are based on years of service and employee compensation.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	1,126		$	710
Interest cost		3,631			3,803
Expected return on plan assets		(4,402	)		(4,241	)
Amortizations:
Unrecognized transition obligation		28			28
Prior service cost		194			191
Unrecognized net loss		2,918			2,265
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,495		$	2,756

Postretirement Benefits — Certain of our subsidiaries provide health care benefits to certain retirees who are covered under specific group contracts.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	147	$	7
Interest cost		337		190
Amortizations:
Prior service cost/(credit)		6		(16	)
Unrecognized net loss		32		124
Net periodic benefit cost	$	522	$	305

XML

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	DEAN FOODS CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000931336
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		184,500,938

XML

Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs [Abstract]

Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs

10. Facility Closing and Reorganization Costs

Approved plans within our multi-year initiatives and related charges are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Fresh Dairy Direct:
Closure of facilities(1)	$	817		$	1,081
Functional Realignment(5)		25,336			—
Organization Optimization Initiative (4)		(17	)		1,491
Total Fresh Dairy Direct		26,136			2,572
Morningstar:
Closure of facilities(2)		3,387			—
Corporate:
Department Realignment(3)		(44	)		2,971
Organization Optimization Initiative(4)		(657	)		5,100
Total Corporate		(701	)		8,071
Total	$	28,822		$	10,643

(1) These charges in 2012 and 2011 primarily relate to facility closures in Newport, Kentucky; Baxley, Georgia; and Florence, South Carolina, as well as previously announced closures. We have incurred $55.8 million of charges related to these initiatives to date. We expect to incur additional charges related to Fresh Dairy Direct facility closures of $1.2 million, related to shutdown and other costs. As we continue the evaluation of our supply chain, it is likely that we will close additional facilities in the future.

(2) These charges in 2012 relate to workforce reduction costs and asset write-downs associated with the announced closure of our Sulphur Springs, Texas cultured production facility. We expect to incur additional charges related to this facility closure of $0.5 million, related to shutdown and other costs.

(3) Charges relate to workforce reduction costs associated with a multi-year cost reduction plan aimed at centralization and process improvement, as well as business unit and functional organization redesigns. The plan was implemented during the fourth quarter of 2010 and resulted in the elimination of approximately 75 positions as each function reorganized its processes in line with peer comparisons and internally developed functional blueprints as approved by an executive operating team. We incurred total charges of $5.4 million related to this initiative and do not expect to incur any additional charges going forward.

(4) In the first quarter of 2011 we initiated a significant cost reduction program that was incremental to our other ongoing cost-savings initiatives. This initiative was focused on permanently removing costs out of our business through organizational and corporate departmental redesigns, driven by process simplification and standardization, centralization of activities and reorganization to drive growth in our core customers and categories. As part of this program, we eliminated approximately 300 corporate and field positions during 2011. The charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011 relate to workforce reduction costs associated with the first tranche of this program and include costs associated with eliminating the position filled by our then President and Chief Operating Officer. We have incurred $24.2 million of charges related to this initiative to date, and we do not expect to incur any material additional charges related to this plan going forward.

(5) During the first quarter of 2012, our management team reassessed our company-wide strategy, resulting in a shift in focus to deploying our capital and strategically investing in the value-added segments of our business. With this new strategy, our goal is to invest our strategic capital primarily in those initiatives that yield higher returns over shorter time frames. In connection with this change, our management team approved a cost reduction plan that is incremental to any other prior cost savings initiative. This initiative is focused on aligning key functions within the Fresh Dairy Direct organization under a single leadership team and permanently removing costs from the Fresh Dairy Direct organization as well as certain functions that support this segment of our business. We eliminated approximately 120 corporate positions throughout the first quarter of 2012 under this initiative. Charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 are related to workforce reduction costs, the write-down of certain information technology assets and costs associated with exiting other commitments deemed not necessary to execute our new strategy. We expect to incur additional charges under this initiative ranging from approximately $3 million to approximately $7 million, primarily related to lease termination costs and the disposal of certain leasehold improvements.

Activity with respect to facility closing and reorganization costs during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is summarized below and includes items expensed as incurred:

	Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011			Charges		Payments			Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cash charges:
Workforce reduction costs	$	5,185		$	15,017	$	(13,681	)	$	6,521
Shutdown costs		(41	)		566		(566	)		(41	)
Lease obligations after shutdown		—			51		(51	)		—
Other		3			1,884		(1,784	)		103
Subtotal	$	5,147			17,518	$	(16,082	)	$	6,583
Noncash charges:
Write-down of assets					11,081
Loss on sale of related assets					193
Other					30
Total charges				$	28,822

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,214,094	$ 3,049,854
Cost of sales	2,426,241	2,299,572
Gross profit	787,853	750,282
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution	504,235	485,802
General and administrative	129,505	164,662
Amortization of intangibles	2,285	2,738
Facility closing and reorganization costs	28,822	10,643
Other operating income		(19,490)
Total operating costs and expenses	664,847	644,355
Operating income	123,006	105,927
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense	60,747	65,270
Other (income) expense, net	554	(48)
Total other expense	61,301	65,222
Income before income taxes	61,705	40,705
Income taxes	23,822	17,323
Net income	37,883	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 37,883	$ 25,263
Average common shares:
Basic	184,104,804	182,817,066
Diluted	184,947,681	183,292,877
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.21	$ 0.14
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 0.20	$ 0.14

XML

Goodwill And Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill And Intangible Assets

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are as follows:

	Fresh Dairy Direct		WhiteWave- Alpro		Morningstar		Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	86,841	$	762,336	$	306,094	$	1,155,271
Foreign currency translation		—		4,950		—		4,950
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	86,841	$	767,286	$	306,094	$	1,160,221

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets other than goodwill as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

	March 31, 2012							December 31, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trademarks(1)	$	589,375	$	—		$	589,375	$	586,663	$	—		$	586,663
Intangible assets with finite lives:
Customer-related and other		132,655		(55,800	)		76,855		131,751		(53,652	)		78,099
Trademarks		10,564		(5,204	)		5,360		10,564		(4,938	)		5,626
Total	$	732,594	$	(61,004	)	$	671,590	$	728,978	$	(58,590	)	$	670,388

(1) The increase in the carrying amount of indefinite-lived trademarks between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 is the result of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Amortization expense on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $2.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Estimated aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in millions):

2012	$	9.3
2013		9.2
2014		8.6
2015		8.5
2016		8.4

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

3. Inventories

Inventories, net of reserves of $3.3 million and $3.6 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Raw materials and supplies	$	197,935	$	198,579
Finished goods		278,317		253,571
Total	$	476,252	$	452,150

XML

Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventories, Net Of Reserves

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Raw materials and supplies	$	197,935	$	198,579
Finished goods		278,317		253,571
Total	$	476,252	$	452,150

XML

Commitments And Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingent Obligations Related to Divested Operations — We have divested certain businesses in prior years. In each case, we have retained certain known contingent obligations related to those businesses and/or assumed an obligation to indemnify the purchasers of the businesses for certain unknown contingent liabilities, including environmental liabilities. We are currently participating in global settlement negotiations with Spanish authorities to resolve pending industry-wide investigations relating to excess production of raw milk by producers and unpaid levies associated with such production, which obligation we retained in the 2006 sale of our Iberian operations. Upon final settlement, we may incur additional charges related to these liabilities, but it is currently not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter. We believe that we have established adequate reserves which are immaterial to the financial statements for potential liabilities and indemnifications related to our divested businesses. Moreover, we do not expect any liability that we may have for these retained liabilities, or any indemnification liability, to materially exceed amounts accrued.

Contingent Obligations Related to Milk Supply Arrangements — On December 21, 2001, in connection with our acquisition of Legacy Dean, we purchased Dairy Farmers of America's ("DFA") 33.8% interest in our operations. In connection with that transaction, we issued a contingent, subordinated promissory note to DFA in the original principal amount of $40 million. The promissory note has a 20-year term that bears interest based on the consumer price index. Interest will not be paid in cash but will be added to the principal amount of the note annually, up to a maximum principal amount of $96 million. We may prepay the note in whole or in part at any time, without penalty. The note will only become payable if we materially breach or terminate one of our related milk supply agreements with DFA without renewal or replacement. Otherwise, the note will expire in 2021, without any obligation to pay any portion of the principal or interest. Payments made under the note, if any, would be expensed as incurred. We have not terminated, and we have not materially breached, any of our milk supply agreements with DFA related to the promissory note. We have previously terminated unrelated supply agreements with respect to several plants that were supplied by DFA. In connection with our goals of accelerated cost control and increased supply chain efficiency, we continue to evaluate our sources of raw milk supply.

Insurance — We retain selected levels of property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee health care, workers' compensation claims and other casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered under conventional insurance programs with third party carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are self-insured. These deductibles are $2.0 million for casualty claims but may vary higher or lower due to insurance market conditions and risk. We believe that we have established adequate reserves to cover these claims.

Lease and Purchase Obligations — We lease certain property, plant and equipment used in our operations under both capital and operating lease agreements. Such leases, which are primarily for machinery, equipment and vehicles, have lease terms ranging from one to 20 years. We did not have any material capital lease obligations as of March 31, 2012. Certain of the operating lease agreements require the payment of additional rentals for maintenance, along with additional rentals based on miles driven or units produced. Certain leases require us to guarantee a minimum value of the leased asset at the end of the lease. Our maximum exposure under those guarantees is not a material amount.

We have entered into various contracts, in the normal course of business, obligating us to purchase minimum quantities of raw materials used in our production and distribution processes, including diesel fuel, soybeans and organic raw milk. We enter into these contracts from time to time to ensure a sufficient supply of raw ingredients. In addition, we have contractual obligations to purchase various services that are part of our production process.

Litigation, Investigations and Audits

Tennessee Dairy Farmer Actions and Related Mississippi Action

We were named, along with several other defendants, in two putative class action antitrust complaints filed on July 5, 2007. The complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Columbia Division, and allege generally that we and others in the milk industry worked together to limit the price Southeastern dairy farmers are paid for their raw milk and to deny these farmers access to fluid Grade A milk processing facilities. Four additional putative class action complaints were filed in 2007 and 2008 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. The allegations in these complaints are similar to those in the dairy farmer actions. All six of the class actions (collectively, the "dairy farmer actions") were consolidated and were transferred to the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division. Class certification in the dairy farmer actions was granted in September 2010.

On July 12, 2011, we entered into a settlement agreement with the class plaintiffs in the dairy farmer actions. On July 14, 2011, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted preliminary approval of the class-wide settlement agreement and stayed the dairy farmer action with respect to the Company. Under the proposed settlement agreement, we agreed to pay a total of up to $140 million over a period of four to five years into a fund for distribution to dairy farmer class members in a number of Southeastern states.

On July 28, 2011, the Court issued an order partially decertifying the dairy farmer plaintiff class with which we had previously entered into the settlement agreement. The dairy farmer plaintiffs that were decertified from the class are, or were, members of the Dairy Farmers of America ("DFA") co-operative. On August 1, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the Court to re-consider its decertification order. The Court denied that motion on August 19, 2011. In order to pursue a final and certain resolution consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement, we filed a motion with the Court on August 5, 2011 to vacate preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, defer associated deadlines related to the settlement, and to clarify the role of class counsel in light of the Court's decertification order. The motion was granted by the Court and a Memorandum Opinion was issued on August 31, 2011. In the Memorandum Opinion, the Court stated that it would take the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement under advisement pending appointment of separate counsel and class representatives for the decertified DFA subclass.

In a separate order entered on October 5, 2011, the Court appointed separate interim counsel for the DFA subclass, and set preliminary deadlines for newly designated interim counsel to submit any motion for certification of a DFA subclass for settlement purposes and any motion to preliminarily approve the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. On December 27, 2011, interim counsel for the putative DFA member subclass filed a motion to certify the DFA subclass for settlement purposes and to reinstate preliminary approval of the July 12, 2011 settlement agreement. Dean responded to the motion on January 17, 2012, and did not oppose the motion. On February 14, 2012, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, and set May 15, 2012 as the date to consider final approval of the agreement. Per the terms of the settlement agreement, on February 21, 2012 we made a payment of $60 million into an escrow account to be distributed following the Court's final approval, and issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million to support subsequent payments due under the agreement. The settlement agreement requires us to make a payment of up to $20 million on each of the following four anniversaries of the settlement agreement's final approval date. There can be no assurance that the settlement agreement will receive final approval in its current form, in another form that is acceptable to the Court and the parties, or at all.

In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a $131.3 million charge and a corresponding liability for the present value of our obligations under the original settlement agreement, based on imputed interest computed at a rate of 4.77%, which approximates our like-term incremental fixed rate borrowing cost. We have continued to accrete interest related to this recorded liability as we believe a settlement of this matter is likely to occur under substantially similar financing terms.

On April 26, 2011, we, along with our Chief Executive Officer, Gregg Engles, and other defendants, were named in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hattiesburg Division. An amended complaint was filed in August 2011, which dropped the class action allegations. The allegations in the amended complaint are similar to those in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions. In addition, plaintiffs have alleged generally that defendants committed civil violations of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), as well as common law fraud and tortious interference with contract. Plaintiffs are seeking treble damages for the alleged antitrust and RICO violations, and compensatory and consequential damages for the common law fraud and tortious interference claims.

On August 11, 2011, a motion to dismiss all of the claims was filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and motions to dismiss all but the antitrust claims were filed on behalf of the Company and the other defendants. Plaintiffs responded to those motions on October 4, 2011. On November 9, 2011, the Court granted the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Mr. Engles, and granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed on behalf of the Company. The Company filed its answer on November 23, 2011. On February 17 and February 29, 2012, the Company entered into settlement agreements with all of the plaintiffs pursuant to which all of the claims against the Company have been dismissed, and the Company's involvement as a party in the case has ended.

Tennessee Retailer and Indirect Purchaser Actions

A putative class action antitrust complaint (the "retailer action") was filed on August 9, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege generally that we, either acting alone or in conjunction with others in the milk industry who are also defendants in the retailer action, lessened competition in the Southeastern United States for the sale of processed fluid Grade A milk to retail outlets and other customers, and that the defendants' conduct also artificially inflated wholesale prices for direct milk purchasers. Defendants' motion for summary judgment in the retailer action was granted in part and denied in part in August 2010. Defendants filed a motion for reconsideration on September 10, 2010, and filed a supplemental motion for summary judgment as to the remaining claims on September 27, 2010. On March 27, 2012, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants as to all remaining counts and entered judgment in favor of all defendants, including the Company. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on April 25, 2012. The appeals court has set a scheduling conference for May 30, 2012.

On June 29, 2009, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division, on behalf of indirect purchasers of processed fluid Grade A milk (the "indirect purchaser action"). The allegations in this complaint are similar to those in the retailer action, but primarily involve state law claims. Because the allegations in the indirect purchaser action substantially overlap with the allegations in the retailer action, the Court granted the parties' joint motion to stay all proceedings in the indirect purchaser action pending the outcome of the summary judgment motions in the retailer action. At this time, the stay remains in effect.

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation

7. Common Stock and Share-Based Compensation

Stock Options — The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at January 1, 2012		19,628,200		$	19.27
Granted		2,207,809			12.07
Forfeited and canceled(1)		(2,367,742	)		13.15
Exercised		(35,161	)		10.48
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012		19,433,106			19.17		5.03	$	3,452,967
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012		15,856,092			20.83		4.08		1,270,047

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock option plans, options that are forfeited or canceled may be available for future grants.

We recognize share-based compensation expense for stock options ratably over the vesting period. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of grants issued during these periods:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
Expected volatility		44%		41%
Expected dividend yield		—  %		—  %
Expected option term		5 years		5 years
Risk-free rate of return		0.88% to 0.89%		2.19% to 2.30%

Restricted Stock Units — The following table summarizes restricted stock unit ("RSU") activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Employees			Directors			Total
Stock units outstanding at January 1, 2012		2,196,450			102,381			2,298,831
Stock units issued		944,778			45,702			990,480
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units		(673,503	)		(31,720	)		(705,223	)
Stock units canceled or forfeited(1)		(488,335	)		—			(488,335	)
Stock units outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,979,390			116,363			2,095,753
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	12.77		$	11.22		$	12.70

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock unit plans, employees have the option of forfeiting stock units to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. Stock units that are canceled or forfeited become available for future grants.

Cash Performance Units — We grant awards of cash performance units ("CPUs") as part of our long-term incentive compensation program under the terms of our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan"). The CPU awards are cash-settled awards and are designed to link compensation of certain executive officers and other key employees to our performance over a three-year period. The performance metric, as defined in the award, is the performance of our stock price relative to that of a peer group of companies. The range of payout under the award is between 0% and 200% and is payable in cash at the end of each respective performance period. The fair value of the awards is remeasured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding liability, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes CPU activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Units
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		11,855,084
Granted		1,750,000
Converted/paid		—
Forfeited		(1,155,250	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		12,449,834

Phantom Shares — We grant phantom shares as part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which are similar to RSUs in that they are based on the price of our stock and vest ratably over a three-year period, but are cash settled based upon the value of our stock at each vesting period. The fair value of the awards is remeasured at each reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding liability, which is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes the phantom share activity during the first quarter of 2012:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		1,081,668		$	10.36
Granted		893,409			12.07
Converted/paid		(320,084	)		10.35
Forfeited		(120,394	)		10.46
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,534,599			11.35

Share-Based Compensation Expense — The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Stock Options (1)	$	(943	)	$	3,362
Stock Units		2,573			5,030
Cash Performance Units		469			209
Phantom Shares		1,313			504
Total	$	3,412		$	9,105

(1) The net credit to stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is the result of a $3.9 million one-time cumulative reduction to share-based compensation expense for stock options based on our review of historical forfeiture activity in comparison to the estimated forfeiture rate originally applied to those awards.

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,412,000		$ 9,105,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	(943,000)	[1]	3,362,000	[1]
Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	2,573,000		5,030,000
Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	469,000		209,000
Phantom Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	1,313,000		504,000
Revision To Forfeiture Rate [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cumulative reduction to share-based compensation expense	$ 3,900,000

[1] The net credit to stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is the result of a $3.9 million one-time cumulative reduction to share-based compensation expense for stock options based on our review of historical forfeiture activity in comparison to the estimated forfeiture rate originally applied to those awards.

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Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

5. Debt

Our outstanding debt as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2012						December 31, 2011
	Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate			Amount Outstanding			Interest Rate
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Dean Foods Company debt obligations:
Senior secured credit facility	$	2,509,326			2.77	%*	$	2,477,160			3.00	%*
Senior notes due 2016		499,010			7.00			498,959			7.00
Senior notes due 2018		400,000			9.75			400,000			9.75
		3,408,336						3,376,119
Subsidiary debt obligations:
Senior notes due 2017		129,543			6.90			129,117			6.90
Receivables-backed facility		279,490			1.25	**		260,000			1.31	**
Capital lease obligations and other		371						692
Alpro revolving credit facility		—						—
		409,404						389,809
		3,817,740						3,765,928
Less current portion		(253,661	)					(202,539	)
Total long-term portion	$	3,564,079					$	3,563,389

* Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for the senior secured revolving credit facility, term loan A and term loan B.

** Represents a weighted-average rate, including applicable interest rate margins, for indebtedness outstanding under the receivables securitization facility.

The scheduled maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

	Total			Term Loan A		Term Loan B			Other*
2012	$	195,689		$	160,481	$	13,256		$	21,952
2013		511,319			213,975		17,675			279,669
2014		1,076,054			276,384		676,230			123,440
2015		10,535			—		10,535			—
2016		970,923			—		470,923			500,000
Thereafter		1,066,667			—		524,667	**		542,000
Subtotal		3,831,187			650,840		1,713,286			1,467,061
Less discounts		(13,447	)		—		—			(13,447	)
Total outstanding debt	$	3,817,740		$	650,840	$	1,713,286		$	1,453,614

* Includes our senior secured revolving credit facility, receivables-backed facility, Dean Foods Company senior notes, subsidiary senior notes, capital lease obligations and other debt.

** The scheduled maturity of a portion of term loan B is April 2, 2017, subject to the condition that we meet certain leverage, debt, cash or credit rating tests as of December 31, 2015. However, if at least one of these tests is not met, the maturity date for this portion of term loan B will be April 2, 2016.

Senior Secured Credit Facility — Our senior secured credit facility consists of an original combination of a $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility, a $1.5 billion five-year term loan A and a $1.8 billion seven-year term loan B. In June 2010, we amended and restated the agreement governing the senior secured credit facility, and entered into a further amendment in December 2010, which included extension of the maturity dates for certain principal amounts, amendment of the maximum permitted leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio and the addition of a senior secured leverage ratio (each as defined in our credit agreement), and the amendment of certain other terms. At March 31, 2012, there were outstanding borrowings of $651 million under the term loan A, $1.71 billion under the term loan B and $145 million under the revolving credit facility. Our average daily balance under the revolving credit facility during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $109.0 million. Letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $2.2 million were issued under the revolving credit facility but undrawn.

Effective April 2, 2012, pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated credit agreement dated June 30, 2010, the total commitment amount available to us under the senior secured revolving credit facility decreased from $1.5 billion to $1.275 billion, and any principal borrowings on a pro rata basis related to the $225 million of non-extended revolving credit facility commitments became payable. No principal payments are due on the remaining revolving credit facility commitments until April 2, 2014. The amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility is available for the issuance of up to $350 million of letters of credit and up to $150 million of swing line loans. Our credit agreement requires mandatory principal prepayments upon the occurrence of certain asset sales (provided that such sales, in total, exceed $250 million in any fiscal year), recovery events or as a result of exceeding certain leverage limits.

Our credit agreement permits us to complete acquisitions that meet all of the following conditions without obtaining prior approval: (1) the acquired company is involved in the manufacture, processing and distribution of food or packaging products or any other line of business in which we were engaged as of April 2007; (2) the net cash purchase price for any single acquisition is not greater than $500 million and not greater than $100 million if our leverage ratio is greater than 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis; (3) we acquire at least 51% of the acquired entity; (4) the transaction is approved by the board of directors or shareholders, as appropriate, of the target; and (5) after giving effect to such acquisition on a pro-forma basis, we would have been in compliance with all financial covenants. All other acquisitions must be approved in advance by the required lenders.

The senior secured credit facility contains limitations on liens, investments and the incurrence of additional indebtedness, prohibits certain dispositions of property and restricts certain payments, including dividends. There are no restrictions on these certain payments, including dividends, when our leverage ratio is below 4.50 times on a pro-forma basis. The senior secured credit facility is secured by liens on substantially all of our domestic assets, including the assets of our domestic subsidiaries, but excluding the capital stock of subsidiaries of the former Dean Foods Company ("Legacy Dean"), the real property owned by Legacy Dean and its subsidiaries, and accounts receivable associated with the receivables-backed facility.

The credit agreement contains standard default triggers, including without limitation: failure to maintain compliance with the financial and other covenants contained in the credit agreement, default on certain of our other debt, a change in control and certain other material adverse changes in our business. The credit agreement does not contain any requirements to maintain specific credit rating levels, except as described above with respect to determining the maturity date for the 2017 tranche of term loan B.

Receivables-Backed Facility — We have a $600 million receivables securitization facility pursuant to which certain of our subsidiaries sell their accounts receivable to four wholly-owned entities intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The entities then transfer the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial institutions. The assets and liabilities of these four entities are fully reflected in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the securitization is treated as a borrowing for accounting purposes. The receivables-backed facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit of up to $300 million.

The total amount of receivables sold to these entities as of March 31, 2012 was $886.9 million. During the first quarter of 2012, we borrowed $874.5 million and subsequently repaid $855.0 million under the facility with a remaining drawn balance of $279.5 million at March 31, 2012, excluding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $245.5 million that were issued but undrawn. Our average daily balance under this facility during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $271.2 million. The receivables-backed facility bears interest at a variable rate based upon commercial paper and one-month LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin. Our ability to re-borrow under this facility is subject to a monthly borrowing base formula. Based on this formula, we could fully access the $600 million commitment as of March 31, 2012.

As discussed in Note 11, on February 14, 2012, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted preliminary approval of our settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions. As part of the proposed settlement agreement, on February 21, 2012 we issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million, representing the subsequent payments due under the terms of the settlement agreement.

We are currently in compliance with all covenants under our credit agreements, and based on our internal projections we expect to maintain such compliance for the foreseeable future.

Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2018 — On December 16, 2010, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 9.75% senior unsecured notes in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers and in offshore transactions, and on August 3, 2011, we exchanged $400 million of the senior notes for new notes that are registered under the Securities Act and do not have restrictions on transfer, rights to special interest or registration rights. These notes are our senior unsecured obligations and mature on December 15, 2018 with interest payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The indenture under which we issued the senior notes due 2018 does not contain financial covenants but does contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain indebtedness, enter into sale-leaseback transactions and engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $400.0 million.

Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2016 — On May 17, 2006, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.0% senior unsecured notes. The senior unsecured notes mature on June 1, 2016, and interest is payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The indenture under which we issued the senior notes due 2016 does not contain financial covenants but does contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain indebtedness, enter into sale-leaseback transactions and engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $499.0 million.

Subsidiary Senior Notes due 2017 — Legacy Dean had certain senior notes outstanding at the time of its acquisition, of which one series ($142 million aggregate principal amount) remains outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017. The carrying value of these notes at March 31, 2012 was $129.5 million at 6.90% interest. The indenture governing the Legacy Dean senior notes does not contain financial covenants but does contain certain restrictions, including a prohibition against Legacy Dean and its subsidiaries granting liens on certain of their real property interests and a prohibition against Legacy Dean granting liens on the stock of its subsidiaries. The Legacy Dean senior notes are not guaranteed by Dean Foods Company or Legacy Dean's wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Capital Lease Obligations and Other — Capital lease obligations and other subsidiary debt includes various promissory notes for financing the purchase of property, plant and equipment and capital lease obligations. The various promissory notes payable provide for interest at varying rates and are payable in periodic installments of principal and interest until maturity, when the remaining principal balances are due. Capital lease obligations represent machinery and equipment financing obligations, which are payable in periodic installments of principal and interest and are collateralized by the related assets financed. See Note 11.

Alpro Revolving Credit Facility —Alpro Comm VA has a multicurrency revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of €1 million (or its currency equivalent). The facility is unsecured and is guaranteed by Dean Foods Company and various Alpro Comm VA subsidiaries. Proceeds under the facility may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of Alpro Comm VA. The subsidiary revolving credit facility is available for the issuance of up to €1 million (or its currency equivalent) of letters of credit. No principal payments are due under the subsidiary revolving credit facility until maturity on July 2, 2012. At March 31, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

Interest Rate Agreements — See Note 6 for information related to interest rate swap arrangements associated with our debt.

Guarantor Information — The 2016 and 2018 senior notes described above are our unsecured obligations and are fully and unconditionally, joint and severally guaranteed by substantially all of our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries other than our receivables securitization subsidiaries.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Dean Foods Company ("Parent"), the wholly-owned subsidiary guarantors of the senior notes and separately the combined results of the wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not a party to the guarantees. The wholly-owned non-guarantor subsidiaries reflect certain foreign and other operations, including our Hero/WhiteWave joint venture for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and as of December 31, 2011, in addition to our receivables securitization subsidiaries.

As disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have restated the presentation of our condensed guarantor financial information to correct certain errors. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2011 shown below has been restated to properly reflect the investment in and equity earnings of the non-guarantor subsidiaries by certain guarantor subsidiaries in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, which were previously only presented in the Parent column. We have also restated amounts previously disclosed to (i) properly present the equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries in the Parent column which was previously presented in pre-tax income from subsidiaries and non-controlling interest, (ii) properly reflect guarantor subsidiaries' cash flows from operations which were included in the Parent column and correct the associated intercompany balances, and (iii) properly reflect the allocation of certain deferred income taxes and other current and long-term tax liabilities from the Parent column to the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries columns in the corresponding changes to cash flows from operating and financing activities. These corrections had no impact on consolidated results as previously reported.

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,534		$	—	$	118,775	$	—		$	130,309
Receivables, net		793			63,203		868,915		—			932,911
Income tax receivable		28,152			—		22		—			28,174
Inventories		—			449,642		26,610		—			476,252
Intercompany receivables		5,979			4,809,045		—		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			70,723		—		(70,723	)		—
Other current assets		24,968			119,185		11,090		—			155,243
Total current assets		71,426			5,511,798		1,025,412		(4,885,747	)		1,722,889
Property, plant and equipment, net		751			1,898,694		183,987		—			2,083,432
Goodwill		—			993,249		166,972		—			1,160,221
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		113,035			566,763		112,292		—			792,090
Investment in subsidiaries		7,862,861			503,325		—		(8,366,186	)		—
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	150,601		$	942,828	$	79,792	$	—		$	1,173,221
Intercompany payables		4,350,657			—		464,367		(4,815,024	)		—
Intercompany note payable		—			—		70,723		(70,723	)		—
Current portion of debt		253,408			253		—		—			253,661
Total current liabilities		4,754,666			943,081		614,882		(4,885,747	)		1,426,882
Long-term debt		3,154,927			129,662		279,490		—			3,564,079
Other long-term liabilities		118,687			538,225		90,966		—			747,878
Long-term litigation settlement		72,525			—		—		—			72,525
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(52,732	)		7,862,861		503,325		(8,366,186	)		(52,732	)
Total	$	8,048,073		$	9,473,829	$	1,488,663	$	(13,251,933	)	$	5,758,632

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,061		$	6,221	$	105,569	$	—		$	114,851
Receivables, net		104			61,156		884,849		—			946,109
Income tax receivable		24,934			—		26					24,960
Inventories		—			426,126		26,024		—			452,150
Intercompany receivables		—			4,821,647		—		(4,821,647	)		—
Intercompany note receivable		—			125,000		—		(125,000	)		—
Other current assets		44,779			117,952		12,339		—			175,070
Assets held for sale		—			—		3,182		—			3,182
Total current assets		72,878			5,558,102		1,031,989		(4,946,647	)		1,716,322
Property, plant and equipment, net		413			1,931,787		182,180		—			2,114,380
Goodwill		—			993,250		162,021		—			1,155,271
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net		69,904			587,442		111,044		—			768,390
Investment in subsidiaries		7,738,221			356,983		—		(8,095,204	)		—
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	148,543		$	1,012,736	$	70,886	$	—		$	1,232,165
Intercompany payables		4,245,143			—		576,504		(4,821,647	)		—
Current portion of debt		202,012			259		268		—			202,539
Intercompany note payable		—			—		125,000		(125,000	)		—
Current portion of litigation settlements		60,838			—		—		—			60,838
Total current liabilities		4,656,536			1,012,995		772,658		(4,946,647	)		1,495,542
Long-term debt		3,174,107			129,282		260,000		—			3,563,389
Other long-term liabilities		81,171			547,066		92,846		—			721,083
Long-term litigation settlements		73,000			—		—		—			73,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Dean Foods Company stockholders' equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		356,983		(8,095,204	)		(103,398	)
Non-controlling interest		—			—		4,747		—			4,747
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)		(103,398	)		7,738,221		361,730		(8,095,204	)		(98,651	)
Total	$	7,881,416		$	9,427,564	$	1,487,234	$	(13,041,851	)	$	5,754,363

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	3,116,724	$	97,370		$	—		$	3,214,094
Cost of sales		—			2,369,974		56,267			—			2,426,241
Gross profit		—			746,750		41,103			—			787,853
Selling and distribution		—			477,477		26,758			—			504,235
General and administrative		2,880			116,388		10,237			—			129,505
Amortization of intangibles		—			1,954		331						2,285
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			28,822		—			—			28,822
Interest expense		56,383			2,346		2,018			—			60,747
Other (income) expense, net		(2,900	)		2,997		457			—			554
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(56,363	)		116,766		1,302			—			61,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		(21,551	)		46,009		(636	)		—			23,822
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(34,812	)		70,757		1,938			—			37,883
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		72,695			1,938		—			(74,633	)		—
Net income		37,883			72,695		1,938			(74,633	)		37,883
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		6,464			132		13,152			—			19,748
Comprehensive income	$	44,347		$	72,827	$	15,090		$	(74,633	)	$	57,631

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated						As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	2,949,860		$	2,949,860		$	99,994		$	—		$	—		$	3,049,854
Cost of sales		—			—			2,241,436			2,241,436			58,136			—			—			2,299,572
Gross profit		—			—			708,424			708,424			41,858			—			—			750,282
Selling and distribution		—			—			459,019			459,019			26,783			—			—			485,802
General and administrative		2,659			2,659			152,463			152,463			12,278			—			—			167,400
Facility closing and reorganization costs		—			—			10,643			10,643			—			—			—			10,643
Other operating income		—			—			(19,490	)		(19,490	)		—									(19,490	)
Interest expense		62,321			62,321			2,778			2,778			171			—			—			65,270
Other (income) expense, net		(2,700	)		(2,700	)		3,199			3,199			(547	)		—			—			(48	)
Income from subsidiaries		(102,985	)		—			—			—			—			102,985			—			—
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		40,705			(62,280	)		99,812			99,812			3,173			(102,985	)		—			40,705
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,323			(25,177	)		42,477			42,477			23			(42,500	)		—			17,323
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		23,382			(37,103	)		57,335			57,335			3,150			(60,485	)		—			23,382
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		—			62,366			—			5,031			—			—			(67,397	)		—
Net income		23,382			25,263			57,335			62,366			3,150			(60,485	)		(67,397	)		23,382
Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest		1,881			—			—			—			1,881			(1,881	)		—			1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	25,263		$	25,263		$	57,335		$	62,366		$	5,031		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	25,263
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,658			13,658			111			111			27,290			—			—			41,059
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	38,921		$	38,921		$	57,446		$	62,477		$	32,321		$	(62,366	)	$	(67,397	)	$	66,322

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidated Totals
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(79,145	)	$	53,993		$	28,374		$	3,222
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			(42,658	)		(1,859	)		(44,517	)
Proceeds from insurance claims		—			2,996			—			2,996
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			1,554			—			1,554
Other, net		—			(275	)		(515	)		(790	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			(38,383	)		(2,374	)		(40,757	)
Repayment of debt		(13,335	)		(51	)		—			(13,386	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		633,100			—			—			633,100
Payments for senior secured revolver		(587,600	)		—			—			(587,600	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			874,490			874,490
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			(855,000	)		(855,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(2,255	)		—			—			(2,255	)
Tax savings on share-based compensation		286			—			—			286
Net change in intercompany balances		57,422			(21,780	)		(35,642	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		87,618			(21,831	)		(16,152	)		49,635
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			3,358			3,358
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		8,473			(6,221	)		13,206			15,458
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,061			6,221			105,569			114,851
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,534		$	—		$	118,775		$	130,309

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Parent						Guarantor Subsidiaries						Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries						Consolidated Totals
	As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated			As Previously Reported			As Restated
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	43,906		$	(12,058	)	$	36,391		$	92,556		$	(43,114	)	$	(43,315	)	$	37,183
Payments for property, plant and equipment		—			—			(36,442	)		(36,442	)		(3,969	)		(3,969	)		(40,411	)
Proceeds from divestitures		—			—			91,780			91,780			—			—			91,780
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		—			—			1,767			1,767			40			40			1,807
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			—			57,105			57,105			(3,929	)		(3,929	)		53,176
Repayment of debt		(101,625	)		(101,625	)		(4,056	)		(4,056	)		(256	)		(256	)		(105,937	)
Proceeds from senior secured revolver		1,090,800			1,090,800			—			—			—			—			1,090,800
Payments for senior secured revolver		(1,063,900	)		(1,063,900	)		—			—			—			—			(1,063,900	)
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			1,105,000			1,105,000			1,105,000
Payments for receivables-backed facility		—			—			—			—			(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)		(1,105,000	)
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes		(580	)		(580	)		—			—			—			—			(580	)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest		—			—			—			—			2,913			2,913			2,913
Net change in intercompany balances		43,087			99,051			(88,629	)		(144,794	)		45,542			45,743			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(32,218	)		23,746			(92,685	)		(148,850	)		48,199			48,400			(76,704	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			—			2,947			2,947			2,947
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		11,688			11,688			811			811			4,103			4,103			16,602
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		307			307			9,750			9,750			81,950			81,950			92,007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	11,995		$	11,995		$	10,561		$	10,561		$	86,053		$	86,053		$	108,609

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements

6. Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest Rates — We have interest rate swap agreements in place that have been designated as cash flow hedges against variable interest rate exposure on a portion of our debt, with the objective of minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations and stabilizing cash flows. These swap agreements provide hedges for interest on our senior secured credit facility by fixing the LIBOR component of interest rates specified in the senior secured credit facility at the interest rates noted below until the indicated expiration dates of these interest rate swap agreements.

The following table summarizes our various interest rate agreements in effect as of March 31, 2012:

Fixed Interest Rates	Expiration Date	Notional Amounts
		(In millions)
0.415% to 0.418%(1)	December 31, 2012	$	500
1.60% to 1.84%	December 31, 2013		800
2.75% to 2.84%	March 31, 2016		200
2.70% to 3.17%	March 31, 2017		650

(1) In September 2011, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an effective date of December 30, 2011. The notional amounts of the swap agreements decreased by $400 million on March 30, 2012 and the remaining notional amounts shown in the table above expire on December 31, 2012.

These swaps are recorded as an asset or liability on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with an offset to other comprehensive income to the extent the hedge is effective. Derivative gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffectiveness in our hedges is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense. There was no hedge ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

We are exposed to market risk under these arrangements due to the possibility of interest rates on our senior secured credit facility rising above the fixed rates in our interest rate swap agreements. Credit risk under these arrangements is believed to be remote as the counterparties to our interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions; however, if any of the counterparties to our hedging arrangements become unable to fulfill their obligation to us, we may lose the financial benefits of these arrangements.

Commodities — We are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, including milk, organic and non-genetically modified ("non-GMO") soybeans, butterfat, sweeteners and other commodity costs used in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of our products, such as, natural gas, resin and diesel fuel. To secure adequate supplies of materials and bring greater stability to the cost of ingredients and their related manufacturing, packaging and distribution, we routinely enter into forward purchase contracts and other purchase arrangements with suppliers. Under the forward purchase contracts, we commit to purchasing agreed-upon quantities of ingredients and commodities at agreed-upon prices at specified future dates. The outstanding purchase commitment for these commodities at any point in time typically ranges from one month's to one year's anticipated requirements, depending on the ingredient or commodity. These contracts are considered normal purchases.

In addition to entering into forward purchase contracts, from time to time we may purchase over-the-counter contracts from our qualified banking partners or enter into exchange-traded commodity futures contracts for raw materials that are ingredients of our products or components of such ingredients. Certain of the contracts offset the risk of increases in our commodity costs and are designated as cash flow hedges when appropriate. Additionally, from time to time we enter into derivative contracts with approved counterparties that are designated as hedging instruments against the risk of changes in the fair value of a portion of our butter inventory. These contracts are marked to market at each reporting period and any resulting gains or losses on the derivative instruments, as well as the offsetting gains or losses on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in earnings in the same period. There was no material hedge ineffectiveness related to our commodities contracts designated as hedging instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Other contracts may be executed related to certain customer pricing arrangements. We have not designated such contracts as hedging instruments; therefore, the contracts are marked to market at each reporting period, and a derivative asset or liability is recorded on our balance sheet.

A summary of our open commodities contracts recorded at fair value in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is included in the table below.

Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity price fluctuation, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic benefits we derive from these strategies.

Foreign Currency — Sales in foreign countries, as well as certain expenses related to those sales, are transacted in currencies other than our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk is primarily limited to the euro and the British pound. We may, from time to time, employ derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates or enter into forward currency exchange contracts to hedge our net investment and intercompany payable or receivable balances in foreign operations. Additionally, in anticipation of repatriating approximately €55 million from our foreign operations, we entered into a forward contract to purchase $70 million, to be delivered in the second quarter of 2012, to mitigate potential currency fluctuations as we take steps to mobilize the funds. This derivative instrument was not designated as a hedging instrument, and changes in fair value of the instrument are recognized immediately in other operating (income) expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See the table below for a summary of the foreign currency related financial instruments outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our derivatives recorded at fair value in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	Derivative Assets				Derivative Liabilities
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts — current(1)	$	—	$	—	$	34,570	$	38,260
Interest rate swap contracts — noncurrent(2)		—		—		58,814		64,037
Commodities contracts — current(1)		767		93		2,962		2,346
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		196		411		—		—
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Commodities contracts — current(1)		6,721		2,006		5,996		1,530
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		—		—		2,939		—
Total derivatives	$	7,684	$	2,510	$	105,281	$	106,173

(1) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in identifiable intangible and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were:

	March 31, 2012		March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Losses on interest rate swap contracts(1)	$	13,996	$	17,040
(Gains)/Losses on commodities contracts(2)		1,136		(1,052	)
Losses on foreign currency contracts(3)		17		—

(1) Recorded in interest expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2) Recorded in distribution expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Recorded in cost of sales in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Based on current interest rates, commodity prices and exchange rates, we estimate that $34.6 million of hedging activity related to our interest rate swaps, $3.4 million of hedging activity related to our commodities contracts and $0.2 million of hedging activity related to our foreign currency contracts will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income within the next 12 months.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions, we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

• Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

	Fair Value as of March 31, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	93,384	$	—	$	93,384	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		7,489		—		7,489		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		8,958		—		8,958		—
Asset — Foreign currency contracts		196		—		196		—
Liability — Foreign currency contracts		2,939		—		2,939		—

A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

	Fair Value as of December 31, 2011		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	102,297	$	—	$	102,297	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		2,099		—		2,099		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		3,876		—		3,876		—
Asset – Foreign currency contracts		411		—		411		—

The fair value of our interest rate swaps is determined based on the notional amounts of the swaps and the forward LIBOR curve relative to the fixed interest rates under the swap agreements. The fair value of our commodities contracts is based on the quantities and fixed prices under the agreements and quoted forward commodity prices. The fair value of our foreign currency contracts is based on the notional amounts and rates under the contracts and observable market forward exchange rates. We classify these instruments in Level 2 because quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable benchmark market rates at commonly quoted intervals, observable current and forward commodity market prices on active exchanges, and observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices. We did not significantly change our valuation techniques from prior periods.

Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. In addition, because the interest rates on our senior secured credit facility and certain other debt are variable, their fair values approximate their carrying values.

The fair values of our Dean Foods Company senior notes and subsidiary senior notes were determined based on quoted market prices obtained through an external pricing source which derives its price valuations from daily marketplace transactions, with adjustments to reflect the spreads of benchmark bonds, credit risk and certain other variables. We have determined these fair values to be Level 2 measurements as all significant inputs into the quotes provided by our pricing source are observable in active markets. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our senior and subsidiary senior notes at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	March 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Subsidiary senior notes due 2017	$	129,543	$	140,935	$	129,117	$	136,853
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2016		499,010		513,750		498,959		493,750
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2018		400,000		440,000		400,000		426,000

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

8. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands, except share data)
Basic EPS computation:
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares		184,104,804		182,817,066
Basic EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.21	$	0.14
Diluted EPS computation
Numerator:
Net income	$	37,883	$	23,382
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		—		1,881
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	37,883	$	25,263
Denominator:
Average common shares — basic		184,104,804		182,817,066
Stock option conversion(1)		42,301		8,406
Stock units(2)		800,576		467,405
Average common shares — diluted		184,947,681		183,292,877
Diluted EPS attributable to Dean Foods Company	$	0.20	$	0.14

(1) Anti-dilutive common shares excluded 18,571,275 21,628,925

(2) Anti-dilutive stock units excluded 421,509 464,217

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Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs (Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	$ 28,822
Cash Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011	5,147
Charges	17,518
Payments	(16,082)
Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012	6,583
Cash Charges [Member] | Workforce Reduction Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011	5,185
Charges	15,017
Payments	(13,681)
Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012	6,521
Cash Charges [Member] | Shutdown Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011	(41)
Charges	566
Payments	(566)
Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012	(41)
Cash Charges [Member] | Lease Obligations After Shutdown [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011
Charges	51
Payments	(51)
Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012
Cash Charges [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Charges at December 31, 2011	3
Charges	1,884
Payments	(1,784)
Accrued Charges at March 31, 2012	103
Noncash Charges [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	30
Noncash Charges [Member] | Write-Down Of Assets [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	11,081
Noncash Charges [Member] | Loss On Sale Of Related Assets [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	$ 193

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3	3
Major customer, percentage of sales	20.00%		20.00%
Joint Venture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of joint venture owned	50.00%
Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	77
Morningstar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	12

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Facility Closing And Reorganization Costs (Approved Plans And Related Charges) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Functional Realignment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Department Realignment [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Organization Optimization Initiative [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]		Mar. 31, 2011 Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Fresh Dairy Direct [Member] Functional Realignment [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Fresh Dairy Direct [Member] Organization Optimization Initiative [Member]		Mar. 31, 2011 Fresh Dairy Direct [Member] Organization Optimization Initiative [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Fresh Dairy Direct Facility Closures [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Fresh Dairy Direct Facility Closures [Member] Facility Closure [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Morningstar [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Morningstar Facility Closure [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Corporate [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Corporate [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Corporate [Member] Department Realignment [Member]		Mar. 31, 2011 Corporate [Member] Department Realignment [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Corporate [Member] Organization Optimization Initiative [Member]		Mar. 31, 2011 Corporate [Member] Organization Optimization Initiative [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] Functional Realignment [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] Functional Realignment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Closure of facilities						$ 817,000	[1]	$ 1,081,000	[1]									$ 3,387,000	[2]
Severance costs												(17,000)	[3]	1,491,000	[3]								(44,000)	[4]	2,971,000	[4]	(657,000)	[3]	5,100,000	[3]
Severance costs, asset writedowns and other related costs										25,336,000	[5]
Total	28,822,000	10,643,000				26,136,000		2,572,000													(701,000)	8,071,000
Charges incurred to date				5,400,000	24,200,000												55,800,000
Expected costs																$ 1,200,000				$ 500,000											$ 3,000,000	$ 7,000,000
Reduction of workforce			120	75	300

[1] These charges in 2012 and 2011 primarily relate to facility closures in Newport, Kentucky; Baxley, Georgia; and Florence, South Carolina, as well as previously announced closures. We have incurred $55.8 million of charges related to these initiatives to date. We expect to incur additional charges related to Fresh Dairy Direct facility closures of $1.2 million, related to shutdown and other costs. As we continue the evaluation of our supply chain, it is likely that we will close additional facilities in the future.

[2] These charges in 2012 relate to workforce reduction costs and asset write-downs associated with the announced closure of our Sulphur Springs, Texas cultured production facility. We expect to incur additional charges related to this facility closure of $0.5 million, related to shutdown and other costs.

[3] In the first quarter of 2011 we initiated a significant cost reduction program that was incremental to our other ongoing cost-savings initiatives. This initiative was focused on permanently removing costs out of our business through organizational and corporate departmental redesigns, driven by process simplification and standardization, centralization of activities and reorganization to drive growth in our core customers and categories. As part of this program, we eliminated approximately 300 corporate and field positions during 2011. The charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011 relate to workforce reduction costs associated with the first tranche of this program and include costs associated with eliminating the position filled by our then President and Chief Operating Officer. We have incurred $24.2 million of charges related to this initiative to date, and we do not expect to incur any material additional charges related to this plan going forward.

[4] Charges relate to workforce reduction costs associated with a multi-year cost reduction plan aimed at centralization and process improvement, as well as business unit and functional organization redesigns. The plan was implemented during the fourth quarter of 2010 and resulted in the elimination of approximately 75 positions as each function reorganized its processes in line with peer comparisons and internally developed functional blueprints as approved by an executive operating team. We incurred total charges of $5.4 million related to this initiative and do not expect to incur any additional charges going forward.

[5] During the first quarter of 2012, our management team reassessed our company-wide strategy, resulting in a shift in focus to deploying our capital and strategically investing in the value-added segments of our business. With this new strategy, our goal is to invest our strategic capital primarily in those initiatives that yield higher returns over shorter time frames. In connection with this change, our management team approved a cost reduction plan that is incremental to any other prior cost savings initiative. This initiative is focused on aligning key functions within the Fresh Dairy Direct organization under a single leadership team and permanently removing costs from the Fresh Dairy Direct organization as well as certain functions that support this segment of our business. We eliminated approximately 120 corporate positions throughout the first quarter of 2012 under this initiative. Charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 are related to workforce reduction costs, the write-down of certain information technology assets and costs associated with exiting other commitments deemed not necessary to execute our new strategy. We expect to incur additional charges under this initiative ranging from approximately $3 million to approximately $7 million, primarily related to lease termination costs and the disposal of certain leasehold improvements.

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Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies	$ 197,935,000	$ 198,579,000
Finished goods	278,317,000	253,571,000
Total	476,252,000	452,150,000
Inventories, net of reserves	$ 3,300,000	$ 3,600,000

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Gains And Losses On Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Losses on interest rate swap contracts	$ 13,996	[1]	$ 17,040	[1]
(Gains)/Losses on commodities contracts	1,136	[2]	(1,052)	[2]
Losses on foreign currency contracts	$ 17	[3]

[1] Recorded in interest expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[2] Recorded in distribution expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[3] Recorded in cost of sales in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Earnings Per Share (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted EPS:

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Summary Of Various Interest Rate Agreements

Fixed Interest Rates	Expiration Date	Notional Amounts
		(In millions)
0.415% to 0.418%(1)	December 31, 2012	$	500
1.60% to 1.84%	December 31, 2013		800
2.75% to 2.84%	March 31, 2016		200
2.70% to 3.17%	March 31, 2017		650

(1) In September 2011, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an effective date of December 30, 2011. The notional amounts of the swap agreements decreased by $400 million on March 30, 2012 and the remaining notional amounts shown in the table above expire on December 31, 2012.

Derivatives Recorded At Fair Value In Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	Derivative Assets				Derivative Liabilities
	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts — current(1)	$	—	$	—	$	34,570	$	38,260
Interest rate swap contracts — noncurrent(2)		—		—		58,814		64,037
Commodities contracts — current(1)		767		93		2,962		2,346
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		196		411		—		—
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Commodities contracts — current(1)		6,721		2,006		5,996		1,530
Foreign currency contracts — current(1)		—		—		2,939		—
Total derivatives	$	7,684	$	2,510	$	105,281	$	106,173

(1) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date were included in identifiable intangible and other assets, net and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Gains And Losses On Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges

	March 31, 2012		March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Losses on interest rate swap contracts(1)	$	13,996	$	17,040
(Gains)/Losses on commodities contracts(2)		1,136		(1,052	)
Losses on foreign currency contracts(3)		17		—

(1) Recorded in interest expense in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2) Recorded in distribution expense or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Recorded in cost of sales in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Summary Of Derivative Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis

	Fair Value as of March 31, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	93,384	$	—	$	93,384	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		7,489		—		7,489		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		8,958		—		8,958		—
Asset — Foreign currency contracts		196		—		196		—
Liability — Foreign currency contracts		2,939		—		2,939		—

	Fair Value as of December 31, 2011		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liability — Interest rate swap contracts	$	102,297	$	—	$	102,297	$	—
Asset — Commodities contracts		2,099		—		2,099		—
Liability — Commodities contracts		3,876		—		3,876		—
Asset – Foreign currency contracts		411		—		411		—

Carrying Value And Fair Value Of Senior And Subsidiary Senior Notes

	March 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Subsidiary senior notes due 2017	$	129,543	$	140,935	$	129,117	$	136,853
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2016		499,010		513,750		498,959		493,750
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2018		400,000		440,000		400,000		426,000

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Derivative Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements (Summary Of Various Interest Rate Agreements) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
0.415% To 0.418% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration Date		Dec. 31, 2012	[1]
Notional Amounts		$ 500	[1]
Decrease in notional amount	400
0.415% To 0.418% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed Interest Rates, Low		0.415%
Fixed Interest Rates, High		0.418%
1.60% To 1.84% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration Date		Dec. 31, 2013
Notional Amounts		800
1.60% To 1.84% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed Interest Rates, Low		1.60%
Fixed Interest Rates, High		1.84%
2.75% To 2.84% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration Date		Mar. 31, 2016
Notional Amounts		200
2.75% To 2.84% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed Interest Rates, Low		2.75%
Fixed Interest Rates, High		2.84%
2.70% To 3.17% [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration Date		Mar. 31, 2017
Notional Amounts		$ 650
2.70% To 3.17% [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed Interest Rates, Low		2.70%
Fixed Interest Rates, High		3.17%

[1] In September 2011, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an effective date of December 30, 2011. The notional amounts of the swap agreements decreased by $400 million on March 30, 2012 and the remaining notional amounts shown in the table above expire on December 31, 2012.

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Debt (Senior Notes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Aug. 03, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 16, 2010 Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	May 17, 2006 Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Dean Foods Company [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] Subsidiary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member] Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount			$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000			$ 500,000,000	$ 142,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Dec. 15, 2018				Jun. 01, 2016			Oct. 15, 2017
Debt instrument, interest rate	9.75%	9.75%		9.75%	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	6.90%	6.90%
Senior notes	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000			$ 499,010,000	$ 498,959,000		$ 129,543,000	$ 129,117,000

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Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 37,883	$ 23,382
Cumulative translation adjustment	13,303	27,418
Net change in fair value of derivative instruments	4,726	12,100
Net pension and other postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax	1,719	1,541
Other comprehensive income	19,748	41,059
Comprehensive income	57,631	64,441
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,881
Comprehensive income attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ 57,631	$ 66,322

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Divestitures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Divestitures [Abstract]

Divestitures

2. Divestitures

In the fourth quarter of 2010, we entered into two separate agreements to sell our Mountain High and private label yogurt operations. The Mountain High yogurt operations were part of our Fresh Dairy Direct segment, and the private label operations were part of our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar segments. The divestiture of our yogurt operations was completed in the first and second quarters of 2011, with all sales proceeds applied towards debt reduction, including the full repayment of the then outstanding 2012 tranche A term loan borrowings.

In the first quarter of 2011, we committed to a plan to sell the fluid milk operations at our Fresh Dairy Direct manufacturing facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin ("Waukesha") as a result of the settlement of the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") civil action related to our acquisition of the Consumer Products Division of Foremost Farms USA in April 2009. On September 8, 2011, we completed the sale of our Waukesha facility.

We recorded a net pre-tax gain of $19.5 million during the first quarter of 2011 related to the divestiture of our Mountain High operations and the write-down of our Waukesha operations. The gain was recorded in other operating income in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Cash Performance Units Activity) (Details) (Cash Performance Units [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at January 1, 2012	11,855,084
Granted	1,750,000
Converted/paid
Forfeited	(1,155,250)
Outstanding at March 31, 2012	12,449,834

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Schedule Of Geographic Information, Net Sales) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment, Geographic And Customers Information [Abstract]
Net sales to external customers, Domestic	$ 3,116,723	$ 2,952,807
Net sales to external customers, Foreign	$ 97,371	$ 97,047

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Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Common Stock And Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Summary Of Stock Option Activity

	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at January 1, 2012		19,628,200		$	19.27
Granted		2,207,809			12.07
Forfeited and canceled(1)		(2,367,742	)		13.15
Exercised		(35,161	)		10.48
Options outstanding at March 31, 2012		19,433,106			19.17		5.03	$	3,452,967
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012		15,856,092			20.83		4.08		1,270,047

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock option plans, options that are forfeited or canceled may be available for future grants.

Weighted Average Assumptions Used To Estimate The Fair Value Of Grants Issued

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
Expected volatility		44%		41%
Expected dividend yield		—  %		—  %
Expected option term		5 years		5 years
Risk-free rate of return		0.88% to 0.89%		2.19% to 2.30%

Summary Of Restricted Stock Unit Activity

	Employees			Directors			Total
Stock units outstanding at January 1, 2012		2,196,450			102,381			2,298,831
Stock units issued		944,778			45,702			990,480
Shares issued upon vesting of stock units		(673,503	)		(31,720	)		(705,223	)
Stock units canceled or forfeited(1)		(488,335	)		—			(488,335	)
Stock units outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,979,390			116,363			2,095,753
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	12.77		$	11.22		$	12.70

(1) Pursuant to the terms of our stock unit plans, employees have the option of forfeiting stock units to cover their minimum statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. Stock units that are canceled or forfeited become available for future grants.

Summary Of Cash Performance Units Activity

	Units
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		11,855,084
Granted		1,750,000
Converted/paid		—
Forfeited		(1,155,250	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		12,449,834

Summary Of Phantom Share Activity

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2012		1,081,668		$	10.36
Granted		893,409			12.07
Converted/paid		(320,084	)		10.35
Forfeited		(120,394	)		10.46
Outstanding at March 31, 2012		1,534,599			11.35

Summary Of Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Stock Options (1)	$	(943	)	$	3,362
Stock Units		2,573			5,030
Cash Performance Units		469			209
Phantom Shares		1,313			504
Total	$	3,412		$	9,105

(1) The net credit to stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is the result of a $3.9 million one-time cumulative reduction to share-based compensation expense for stock options based on our review of historical forfeiture activity in comparison to the estimated forfeiture rate originally applied to those awards.

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Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Amortization Expense On Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]
2012	$ 9.3
2013	9.2
2014	8.6
2015	8.5
2016	$ 8.4

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Segment, Geographic And Customers Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment, Geographic And Customers Information [Abstract]

Segment, Geographic And Customers Information

12. Segment, Geographic and Customers Information

We have three reportable segments: Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, changed the way he determines strategy and investment plans for our operations. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, our Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar operations were separated so that our three reporting segments now consist of Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar. This change reflects the divergence between the go-to-market strategies, customer bases and objectives of our businesses and reflects a change in how we expect to deploy our capital in the future. We believe these revised segments have increased internal focus and offered management and investors improved visibility into the performance of the segments against their specific objectives. All segment results set forth herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated net sales or operating income.

Fresh Dairy Direct is our largest segment with 77 manufacturing facilities geographically located largely based on local and regional customer needs and other market factors. Fresh Dairy Direct manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded and private label dairy case products, including milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products to retailers, distributors, foodservice outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States. Our products are primarily delivered through what we believe to be one of the most extensive refrigerated direct store delivery ("DSD") systems in the United States.

WhiteWave-Alpro manufactures, develops, markets and sells a variety of nationally branded value-added dairy products, such as Horizon Organic milk; nationally branded coffee creamers and beverages, including International Delight and LAND O LAKES; and nationally and internationally branded plant-based foods and beverages, such as Silk soy, almond and coconut milks, and Alpro and Provamel soy, almond and hazelnut drinks and food products. WhiteWave-Alpro sells its products to a variety of customers, including grocery stores, club stores, natural foods stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, drug stores and foodservice outlets. The majority of the WhiteWave-Alpro products are delivered through warehouse delivery systems.

Morningstar is a leading U.S. manufacturer of ESL creams and creamers, beverages and cultured dairy products with an emphasis on foodservice and private label retail customers. These products include half and half, whipping cream, ice cream mix, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese and are sold under a wide array of private labels and the Friendship brand. Morningstar sells its products to a variety of customers, including food distributors, national restaurant chains, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. Morningstar currently operates 12 manufacturing facilities domestically and has one of the most extensive manufacturing networks for these products in the United States. Morningstar products are sold by its internal sales force and independent brokers and are delivered through warehouse delivery systems.

During the first quarter of 2012 we completed the shutdown of the operations of our 50% owned joint venture between WhiteWave and Hero Group, which was part of our WhiteWave-Alpro segment. For the three months ended and as of March 31, 2012, the joint venture's operations were immaterial and only an immaterial amount of assets remain as part of our investment. We may incur additional charges related to our final settlement with Hero Group.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on sales and operating income or loss before gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, litigation settlements, foreign exchange gains and losses and write-downs related to the wind-down of our joint venture. The reporting segments do not include an allocation of the costs related to shared services such as audit services, corporate development, human resources, strategy, tax or treasury. In addition, the expense related to share-based compensation has not been allocated to our segments and is reflected entirely within the caption "Corporate and Other". Therefore, the measure of segment profit or loss presented below is before such items. Additionally, a portion of our WhiteWave-Alpro products are sold by Fresh Dairy Direct and Morningstar. Those sales, together with their related costs, are included in the WhiteWave-Alpro segment for reporting purposes. A portion of our Fresh Dairy Direct products are manufactured by our Morningstar segment. Sales of those products, together with their related costs, are included in the Fresh Dairy Direct segment for reporting purposes.

The amounts in the following tables are obtained from reports used by our executive management team and do not include any allocated income taxes or management fees. There are no significant non-cash items reported in segment profit or loss other than depreciation and amortization.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,318,142		$	2,234,522
WhiteWave-Alpro		571,215			506,560
Morningstar		324,737			308,772
Total	$	3,214,094		$	3,049,854
Intersegment sales:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	13,380		$	17,372
WhiteWave-Alpro		29,298			27,785
Morningstar		72,564			83,694
Total	$	115,242		$	128,851
Operating income:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	101,196		$	86,038
WhiteWave-Alpro		60,310			46,091
Morningstar		28,750			25,444
Total reportable segment operating income		190,256			157,573
Corporate and Other		(38,428	)		(60,493	)
Facility closing and reorganization costs		(28,822	)		(10,643	)
Other operating income		—			19,490
Total	$	123,006		$	105,927

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Fresh Dairy Direct	$	2,650,241	$	2,669,001
WhiteWave-Alpro		2,111,413		2,086,097
Morningstar		675,221		670,870
Corporate		321,757		325,213
Assets held for sale		—		3,182
Total	$	5,758,632	$	5,754,363

Geographic Information — Net sales and long-lived assets for our domestic and foreign operations are shown in the table below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales to external customers:
Domestic	$	3,116,723	$	2,952,807
Foreign		97,371		97,047

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Long-lived assets:
Domestic	$	3,581,587	$	3,594,443
Foreign		454,156		443,598

Significant Customers — Our largest customer accounted for approximately 20% of our consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Sales to this customer were included in our Fresh Dairy Direct, WhiteWave-Alpro and Morningstar segments.