SAN FRANCISCO, Jul 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Demonstrating its dedication to helping consumers lead healthier lifestyles, Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE:DLM) today announces its commitment to reduce sodium by at least 20 percent across its branded portfolio of vegetable, tomato and broth products that contain added salt by 2015. This initiative will include Del Monte Foods' top consumer brands Del Monte^(R), S&W^(R), Contadina^(R)and College Inn^(R).

As a long-time leader in the packaged foods industry, Del Monte Foods first offered no salt vegetable products under its Del Monte brand more than 20 years ago and has expanded that initial effort in the last two years, with the introduction of 50% Less Salt product varieties. The Del Monte brand also launched its first No Salt Added tomato products more than ten years ago and expanded its offering two years ago. Del Monte currently offers more No Salt Added and 50% Less Salt vegetable and tomato products than any other brand of canned food in its categories.

"For more than 100 years, Del Monte Foods has provided consumers with the best products nature has to offer and continues to bring quality, nutritious products to the tables of families across America," said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Del Monte Foods is committed to providing consumers with products that help them make healthy choices, including reduced-salt and no-salt added vegetable, tomato and broth products. With today's announcement to reduce sodium by 20% across the vegetable, tomato and broth products in our branded consumer portfolio by 2015, we will lower salt in American diets, thereby helping consumers lead healthier and more active lifestyles. We look forward to making consumer-meaningful sodium reductions and to driving change that supports public health."

A pioneer in the packaged foods industry, Del Monte Foods was one of the first food companies to provide nutrition information on its product labels in 1971. The Company remains committed to bringing new and innovative products to the marketplace that meet the emerging and evolving needs of its consumers, and currently offers approximately 40 different types of fruits, vegetables and tomatoes - more than any other national packaged food company. Del Monte Foods will continue to focus on the development of innovative lower-sodium and no-sodium products, in addition to achieving its 2015 sodium reduction goals.

Learn more about the Del Monte^(R), S&W^(R), Contadina^(R), and College Inn^(R)brands and their range of products at www.delmonte.com/solutions, www.contadina.com, www.swfinefoods.com, and www.collegeinn.com, respectively.

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 pet products and food products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.7 billion in net sales in fiscal 2010. With a powerful portfolio of brands, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. Pet food and pet snacks brands include Meow Mix(R), Kibbles 'n Bits(R), Milk-Bone(R), 9Lives(R), Pup-Peroni(R), Gravy Train(R), Nature's Recipe(R), Canine Carry-Outs (R) and other brand names. Food product brands include Del Monte(R), Contadina(R), S&W(R), College Inn(R), and other brand names. The Company also produces and distributes private label pet products and food products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company's website at www.delmonte.com.

Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.^TM

SOURCE: Del Monte Foods Company

Del Monte Foods
Chrissy Stengel, 415-247-3268
Chrissy.Stengel@delmonte.com