Del Monte Foods Announces Retirement of Chief Operating Officer.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Realigns Key Senior Roles

Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) announced today the retirement of Wesley J. Smith, Del Monte's Chief Operating Officer for the past seven years, and the realignment of several senior roles as the Company moves past the integration phase relating to its merger with certain businesses previously owned by the H.J. Heinz Company.

"Wes Smith has been an important leader and contributor to Del Monte Foods from its 1997 recapitalization through the successful integration of the businesses previously owned by Heinz," said Rick Wolford, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Wes will continue in an advisory role with the Company. We very much appreciate his contributions and are pleased we will be able to continue to benefit from his experience."

With the changes outlined above, the following appointments were announced today:

--Todd Lachman, Managing Director of Pet Products has been named Executive Vice President, Del Monte Foods, with responsibility for the Del Monte Brands, StarKist Brands and Pet Products businesses, including product innovation. Lachman has successfully led the substantial improvement of Del Monte's Pet Products business over the last 18 months. He joined Del Monte from Heinz as a result of the merger and prior to that held a number of marketing roles at Proctor & Gamble. He will continue to report to Rick Wolford.

--Nils Lommerin, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, has been named Executive Vice President, Operations, and will have responsibility for all of the Company's manufacturing operations, supply chain operations, engineering, technical services, and human resources. Lommerin has played a key role in Del Monte's successful integration efforts, facilitating the implementation of an effective organization which is driving towards lower costs. He will employ those same skills to direct operations and to effectively deploy the Company's extensive operating expertise in seeking to improve efficiencies. He began his career in operations at Kraft General Foods, held several human resources posts at PepsiCo and was Executive Vice President of Operations and Corporate Services at Oxford Health Plans prior to joining Del Monte. He will continue to report to Rick Wolford.

--Don Binotto, Managing Director of StarKist Brands has been named Senior Vice President, Operations and Supply Chain. He will have responsibility for supply and demand planning, logistics, distribution, customer satisfaction, and purchasing. Binotto brings to this newly established position extensive supply chain experience. Most recently he successfully led the StarKist Brands business. He will report to Nils Lommerin.

"The realignment of the senior roles to be filled by Todd Lachman and Nils Lommerin will provide focused executive direction for these important functions, by better aligning existing roles within those functions and taking full advantage of the superior talent within our company to better drive our business," said Wolford. "This reorganization of responsibilities also establishes a single company-wide supply chain function which is designed to drive costs out of our common dry grocery production and distribution system," added Wolford. "Overall, this realignment will position Del Monte for future growth and executional excellence, and will support our strategic initiatives."

Del Monte Foods

Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded and private label food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating over $3 billion in net sales in fiscal 2004. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte(R), Contadina(R), StarKist(R), S&W(R), Nature's Goodness(TM), College Inn(R), 9Lives(R), Kibbles' n Bits(R), Pup-Peroni(R), Snausages(R), and NawSomes! (R), Del Monte products are found in nine out of 10 American households. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company, visit the Company's Web site at www.delmonte.com.