1 Exhibit 12 Dean Foods Company Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges --------------------------------------------------- (In thousands) 13 Weeks Ended August 30, 1998 --------------- Income before taxes $ 37,562 ------------ Fixed charges: Interest expense 9,056 Portion of rentals (33%) 2,690 ------------ Total fixed charges 11,746 ------------ Earnings before taxes and fixed charges $ 49,308 ============ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.2 ============