O-STA

Dole Food Company, Inc. Issues Statement Regarding European Commission Investigation

Business Editors

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2005--Dole Food Company, Inc. today confirmed that European Commission antitrust authorities conducted a search of certain of its offices in Europe. The European Commission is investigating alleged violations of European Union competition laws in the banana and pineapple industries. The Company is cooperating with the authorities.

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2004 revenues of $5.3 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends" and similar expressions. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein include weather-related phenomena; market responses to industry volume pressures; product and raw materials supplies and pricing; electrical power supply and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises and security risks in developing countries; international conflict; and quotas, tariffs and other governmental actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Dole's financial results is included in its SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CONTACT:

Dole Food Company, Inc.

Freya Maneki, 818-879-6812

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL EUROPE

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT LEGAL/LAW SUPERMARKETS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL

SOURCE: Dole Food Company, Inc.