Del Monte Promotes Healthy Living with New Products and Partners at American Dietetic Association's 2006 Conference

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO -- From the lycopene found in tomatoes to the Omega-3 fatty acids in tuna, Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM) will showcase the many health benefits of its fruit, vegetable and tuna products at this year's 2006 American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 16-19. At the Company's booth, number 514, look for appearances by walkaround Grover from Sesame Street and nationally-known dietitian Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS, as well as delicious, healthy recipe demonstrations hosted by the Company's own Laura Molseed, RD.

"Health and wellness is one of the primary trends in the marketplace today. Del Monte's products and marketing programs deliver on this trend and provide consumers with the tools they need to live a healthy lifestyle," said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Del Monte Foods. "And with obesity, heart disease and diabetes on the continued rise in the United States, we are leveraging Del Monte's healthy product portfolio and programs to educate consumers about simple steps they can make to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle."

Just One More for Healthy Living

Celebrating its Just One More for Healthy Living(TM) campaign, Del Monte's dietitian, Laura Molseed, RD will conduct recipe demonstrations and new product samplings to show how consumers can use products such as StarKist Tuna Fillets(TM), Del Monte(R) fruit, vegetable and tomato products and new Del Monte(R) No Sugar Added single serve fruit to get one more serving of fruits and vegetables daily and one more serving of tuna weekly. In addition, Roberta Larson Duyff, RD, spokesperson for Del Monte's Just One More campaign, will sign copies of her new book, the 3rd edition of "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide."

Del Monte and Sesame Workshop

During the conference, Sesame Street's walkaround Grover will be at the Del Monte booth to celebrate the launch of a new partnership between the company and Sesame Workshop, and will be available for photographs with conference attendees. Del Monte and Sesame Workshop are working together to promote healthier eating habits among children. Beginning this month, Del Monte will work with Elmo, Grover and Cookie Monster to promote its healthful, kid-friendly canned peas, green beans and corn. The Sesame Street characters will appear on product packaging, along with on-pack coloring activities for children.

Del Monte will also highlight a number of new products and programs that will launch throughout 2006 and beyond:

--Del Monte No Sugar Added Fruits: New products, which will be in stores beginning this fall, include a line of Del Monte No Sugar Added peaches, pears and fruit cocktail, as well as seasoned Del Monte vegetables.

--Growing Organic Portfolio: Del Monte is also committed to providing consumers with more organic options on the grocery shelf. The Company's expanding portfolio of organic products includes new College Inn(R) Organic broth varieties (also debuting in September), tomatoes, vegetables and pickles.

--Discovery Health Channel Alliance: Del Monte Foods is providing the Discovery Health Channel a grant to research, produce and air a program that will help consumers understand the key recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetables; discuss the dietary trends in fruit and vegetable consumption and the importance of education in reversing the trend; and help consumers understand how fruit and vegetable intake is related to disease prevention. The show is scheduled to air in October.

--Partnership with Dr. Dean Ornish: Founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute and author of 5 best-selling books - including New York Times' best-sellers "Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease", "Eat More, Weigh Less", and "Love & Survival" - Dr. Ornish will assist Del Monte with product development, industry partnerships, nutrition education, marketing and communications.

--New Products for Your Four-Legged Friend: Research shows that people who own a pet have lower blood pressure and have better odds of surviving a heart attack compared to non-pet owners. Del Monte's Pet Products division is passionate about enhancing the pet/owner relationship with new products that hit the market this month including Snausages(R) Fortune Snookies(TM), Pup-Peroni(R) Ribs and Kibbles 'n Bits Brushing Bites(TM).

"The ADA Conference gives Del Monte an opportunity to communicate with a critical audience," said Laura Molseed, RD, Del Monte's in-house dietitian. From obesity treatment to child nutrition programs, studies show that the work of registered dietitians can positively impact consumer health and wellness. Del Monte Foods recognizes the crucial role dietitians play in educating Americans about the significance of nutrition in a healthy lifestyle.

"Many dietitians already use Del Monte products when counseling clients across many settings and situations. Our presence here allows us to call attention to the healthfulness of our fruit, vegetable