Pup-Peroni® Brand Unleashes New Advertising Campaign

SAN FRANCISCO-(Business Wire)-February 2, 2009 - Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM) today announces that, consistent with its plans to further investment in consumer marketing initiatives within the growing Pet Snacks and Treats category, it has launched a new, unprecedented $8 million national advertising campaign for Pup-Peroni^® brand dog snacks.

The first-ever national television campaign for Pup-Peroni features a robust line-up of 15- and 30-second television spots, highlighting consumers’ conviction that their dogs have an amazing ability to communicate and empathize with their pet parents. Each spot underscores how pups are insightful, loving and unconditionally devoted to their pet parents, endearing qualities that are best celebrated with a treat that is as irresistible as they are. Pup-Peroni understands the special and unique bond between a dog and his or her pet parent and aims to encourage and strengthen it through best-in-class marketing and innovative products.

“The Pup-Peroni campaign displays Del Monte’s commitment to fresh, bold approaches to consumer marketing,” said Bill Pearce, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Del Monte Foods. “This program also underscores the company’s commitment to making strategic investments in our key brands and to driving growth and leading the Pet Snacks and Treats category.”

The integrated campaign is complemented by dynamic online offerings, including customizable “Pup-grams” that will further excite consumers, spread awareness and drive purchase about the brand’s new positioning within the social- and viral-media channels. This is the first Pup-Peroni assignment for agency partner Draftfcb, which expanded it relationship with Del Monte in late 2008. Creative and media planning duties are being managed by Draftfcb’s San Francisco office.

For more information about Pup-Peroni or to send a Pup-gram of your own, please visit: www.pup-peroni.com.

About Del Monte Pet Products

At Del Monte, our pet products nourish and enrich the lives of pets and pet parents by providing great-tasting, high-quality and innovative products for dogs and cats and by encouraging them to enjoy an active lifestyle together. With trusted brands including Meow Mix^®, Kibbles ‘n Bits^®, 9Lives^®, Snausages^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Milk-Bone^®, Meaty Bone^® and Pounce^®, our products enrich the connection between people and the pets they love. As a premier provider of taste-oriented pet food and pet snacks, our products play a key role in the lives of millions of pet families everyday.

About Del Monte Foods

Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2008. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte^®, S&W^®, Contadina^®, College Inn^®, Meow Mix^®, Kibbles 'n Bits^®, 9Lives^®,Milk-Bone^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Meaty Bone^®, Snausages^® and Pounce^®, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.