WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California - April 01, 2005

Dole Food Company, Inc. announced the results to date of, and certain amendments to, its pending tender offer (the "Offer") for up to $275 million aggregate principal amount of three series of its outstanding debt securities (the "Notes").

As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, March 31, 2005, which was the "Early Tender Date" for the Offer, holders had tendered a total of approximately $1.1 billion in aggregate principal amount of Notes, consisting of approximately $424 million in aggregate principal amount of the 8-7/8% Senior Notes due 2011 (the "8-7/8% Notes"), approximately $322 million in aggregate principal amount of the 8-5/8% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "8-5/8% Notes") and approximately $366 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7-1/4% Senior Notes due 2010 (the "7-1/4% Notes").

Dole said that it is amending the Offer to increase the aggregate principal amount of Notes that it is offering to purchase up to $325 million and to add a limitation that no more than $275 million in aggregate principal amount of the 8-7/8% Notes will be accepted. Under the amended Offer, Dole will accept up to $50 million in aggregate principal amount of the 8-5/8% Notes and 7-1/4% Notes, in the same priority as in the original Offer.

In addition, Dole is amending the Tender Offer Consideration for the 8-5/8% Notes to $1,050.00 in cash per $1,000 principal amount and the Total Consideration for the 8-5/8% Notes to $1,080.00 in cash per $1,000 principal amount. The Early Tender Date for the 8-5/8% Notes is being extended to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, April 8, 2005. The Early Tender Date for the 8-7/8% Notes and the 7-1/4% Notes is not being extended. Dole is returning to holders all 8-5/8% Notes and 7-1/4% Notes that previously have been tendered. Holders of these series who wish to participate in the amended Offer must re-tender their Notes prior to the expiration of the Offer.

No changes are being made with respect to the consideration payable to holders of 8-7/8% Notes. Accordingly, holders of 8-7/8% Notes who tendered their Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, March 31, 2005, will receive Tender Offer Consideration of $1,072.50 per $1,000 principal amount and the Early Tender Payment of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount for Total Consideration of $1,102.50 per $1,000 principal amount for all such Notes accepted for purchase. Based on the results to date, approximately 64.9% of all tendered 8-7/8% Notes would be accepted.

Under the amended Offer, holders who tender Notes after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, March 31, 2005, will receive the following for all such Notes accepted for purchase:

. For the 8-7/8% Notes, Tender Offer Consideration of $1,072.50 per $1,000 principal amount (and no Early Tender Payment);

. For the 8-5/8% Notes, if such Notes are tendered by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, April 8, 2005, Tender Offer Consideration of $1,050.00 per $1,000 principal amount and the Early Tender Payment of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount for Total Consideration of $1,080.00 per $1,000 principal amount (and if such Notes are tendered thereafter, only the Tender Offer Consideration and no Early Tender Payment); and

. For the 7-1/4% Notes, Tender Offer Consideration of $1,017.50 per $1,000 principal amount (and no Early Tender Payment).

The Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Thursday, April 14, 2005 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended or earlier terminated by Dole. The settlement date of the Offer is expected to be on April 15, 2005. Withdrawal rights with respect to the 8-7/8% Notes have expired. Tenders (including re-tenders) of 8-5/8% Notes and 7-1/4% Notes may be withdrawn until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, April 8, 2005. Except for the amendments described above, all other terms of the Offer remain in effect.

The complete terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated March 18, 2005, as amended by an Amendment and Supplement dated April 1, 2005, which is being sent to holders. Holders are urged to read the tender offer documents carefully.

Banc of America Securities LLC is the exclusive dealer manager for the Offer. Questions regarding the Offer may be directed to Banc of America Securities LLC, High Yield Special Products, at 888-292-0070 (U.S. toll-free) and 704-388-4813 (collect). Copies of the Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Information Agent for the Offer, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at 866-937-2200 (U.S. toll-free) and 212-430-3774 (collect).

This press release is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation for acceptance of the Offer. Dole is making the Offer only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer to Purchase.

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.