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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
September 7, 2004 (September 7, 2004)

Dean Foods Company

Delaware		1-12755		75-2559681
(State or other Jurisdiction of		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer
Incorporation)				Identification No.)

2515 McKinney Avenue, LB 30, Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75201

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(214) 303-3400

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: September 7, 2004		DEAN FOODS COMPANY
		By:		/s/ Lisa N. Tyson
				Lisa N. Tyson Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

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EXHIBIT INDEX