Westlake Village, CA - June 28, 2000

Dole Food Company, Inc., announced today that it is among the top ten companies overall in environmental and social responsibility as ranked by the Council on Economic Priorities (CEP). CEP is a leading public interest research organization on corporate social accountability.

The newest edition of CEP's consumer guide to socially conscious companies, Shopping For A Better World, ranks Dole as follows: - Environmental Management -- the "NUMBER ONE" environmental performer of all companies in the food industry.- Workplace Issues -- In the top ten for its worldwide policies and practices.- Charitable Giving -- In the top ten for its charitable activities. Dole received recognition for its efforts to help Honduran disaster victims and others across Latin America rebuild their lives after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch.- IN THE TOP TEN OVERALL -- Dole's placement as one of the top ten of all the Fortune 500 companies reviewed by CEP is based on its performance in seven areas: Environment, Workplace Issues, Family Benefits, Disclosure, Charitable Giving, Women's Advancement and Minority Advancement.

Sharon Hayes, Dole's Director of Environmental Affairs, commented, "We are very pleased to have received this recognition. In light of the efforts we've devoted to our environmental and social accountability programs, it's particularly gratifying to have received this important confirmation that we're moving in the right direction." Ms. Hayes added, "We hope our customers, consumers and investors see this as another signal that Dole. stands not only for high quality and nutritious food products, but also for management integrity and commitment to social responsibility."

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 1999 revenues of $5.1 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh-cut flowers and markets a growing line of packaged foods.