Dole Food Company, Inc. Confirms Fine by the European Commission in EU Bananas Investigation

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Dole Food Company, Inc. today confirmed that the European
Commission has adopted a decision against Dole and its German
subsidiary, Dole Fresh Fruit Europe OHG. As stated in the European
Commission's press release issued today, the Commission's decision
imposes fines against a number of EU banana importers, with its
finding of certain anticompetitive information exchanges in the EU
banana market. This fine follows Commission investigations that began
in June 2005 and a Statement of Objections issued on July 20, 2007.

The Commission's decision imposes a total fine of 45.6 million
Euro against Dole. Under the Commission's Fining Guidelines, Dole
faced a potential fine of up to 10% of its worldwide revenues ($693
million). The Company has not yet received the full text of the
Commission decision.

The Company believes that it has not violated the European
competition laws, and it intends to appeal this decision and the fine
imposed.

Dole, with 2007 net revenues of $6.93 billion, is the world's
largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh
vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. 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," "anticipates" 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;
energy 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.

Dole Food Company, Inc.
C. Michael Carter, 818-879-6810

Copyright Business Wire 2008