Westlake Village, California - July 29, 2004

Dole Food Company, Inc. today announced the promotion of Richard J. Dahl to President and Chief Operating Officer of the company, reporting directly to David H. Murdock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Dahl joined Dole in June 2002 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In April 2003, he was elected to Dole's Board of Directors and in July 2003, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Dahl came to Dole from Pacific Century Financial Corporation (formerly known as Bancorp Hawaii, Inc.) and Bank of Hawaii, where he served as president. He first joined Bancorp Hawaii, Inc. in 1981 as Vice President and Controller and held various financial positions, including chief financial officer, before being named president in 1994. Prior to joining Bank of Hawaii, Inc., Mr. Dahl was with Ernst & Young, public accountants. Mr. Dahl holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Idaho and is a certified public accountant.

David H. Murdock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Richard's managerial background, international experience and leadership ability will now encompass all of our global operations. I look forward to working with him as Dole continues to grow."

The company announced the appointment of Joseph S. Tesoriero as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to replace Mr. Dahl. Mr. Tesoriero joined Dole in October 2002 as Vice President, Taxes. Prior to joining Dole, he was with Global Crossing Services Company, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President of Tax. Mr. Tesoriero holds a B.S. from Villanova University, a J.D. from New York Law School and a L.L.M. in Tax from Boston University School of Law.

In announcing Mr. Tesoriero's appointment, Mr. Murdock stated: "Mr. Tesoriero has exhibited leadership qualities and solid management skills in the Tax Department and I am confident this will continue as he assumes his new responsibilities."

The company also announced the following appointments effective immediately:C. Michael Carter to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Scott A. Griswold to Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Roberta Wieman to Executive Vice President and Assistant to the Chairman, Sue Hagen to Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and Javier H. Idrovo to Senior Vice President, Strategy.

Mr. Murdock commented: "These individuals have made solid contributions in their respective areas to the company's growth and these appointments recognize those contributions."

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2003 revenues of $4.8 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 foods and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition 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.