Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY

                      EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                   (As Restated to Incorporate Amendments 1-6)

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                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY

                      EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                                Table of Contents

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                     <C>
ARTICLE I        DEFINITIONS..............................................1

ARTICLE II       ELIGIBILITY..............................................3

ARTICLE III      CREDITS TO ACCOUNT.......................................3

ARTICLE IV       BENEFITS.................................................5

ARTICLE V        PAYMENT OF BENEFITS AT TERMINATION.......................6

ARTICLE VI       IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS...................................7

ARTICLE VII      ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN...............................9

ARTICLE VIII     CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE.................................10

ARTICLE IX       LIMITATION OF RIGHTS....................................11

ARTICLE X        LIMITATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND PAYMENTS TO
                 LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE.........................11

ARTICLE XI       AMENDMENT TO OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.................11

ARTICLE XII      GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS...............................12
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY
                      EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                                    PREAMBLE

         WHEREAS, Dean Foods Company (the "Company"), a corporation formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware, established the Suiza Foods Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan") effective July 1, 1999, for
the exclusive benefit of a select group of management and highly compensated
employees of the Company and its affiliates to provide an additional means by
which such employees may defer funds for their retirement;

         WHEREAS the name of the Plan was later changed to Dean Foods Company
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan to reflect the new name of the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Plan was subsequently amended by Amendments 1-6;

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to restate the plan to incorporate all
such amendments;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby restates the Plan to read as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1 "Account" shall mean the individual bookkeeping record established
by the Committee showing the monetary value of the interest in the Plan of each
Participant or Beneficiary.

         1.2 "Affiliate" shall mean a member of a controlled group of
corporations (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code), a group of trades or
businesses (whether or not incorporated) which are under common control (as
defined in Section 414(c) of the Code), or an affiliated service group (as
defined in Section 414(m) of the Code) of which the Company is a member; and any
entity otherwise required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to Section
414(o) of the Code or the regulations issued thereunder; and any other entity in
which the Company has an ownership interest and to which the Company elects to
make participation in the Plan available.

         1.3 "Annual Compensation" shall mean the total amounts paid or accrued
by the Company or an Affiliate to an employee as remuneration for personal
services rendered during each Plan Year, including bonuses and commissions, as
reported on the employee's federal income tax withholding statement or
statements (IRS Form W-2 or its subsequent equivalent), together with any
amounts not includable in such employee's gross income pursuant to Sections 125
or 402(g) of the Code, and any amounts deferred by such employee pursuant to
Section 3.1 hereof. The term "Annual Compensation" shall also include any
amounts paid as director's fees to members of the Board or members of the board
of directors of an Affiliate.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

         1.4 "Beneficiary" shall mean the Beneficiary designated by each
Participant under the 401(k) Plan; provided, however, that a Participant may
designate a different Beneficiary hereunder by delivering to the Committee a
written beneficiary designation, in the form provided by the Committee, and
executed specifically with respect to this Plan.

         1.5 "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

         1.6 "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be
amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         1.7 "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.

         1.8 "Company" shall mean Dean Foods Company or its successor or
successors.

         1.9 "Company Contribution Account" shall mean the subaccount of each
Participant's Account showing the monetary value of the Participant's interest
in the Plan which is attributable to matching or profit sharing contributions
credited pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.3.

         1.10 "Company Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company.

         1.11 "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental condition which, in
the opinion of the Committee, prevents a Participant from being able to perform
the substantial duties of his employment with the Company and is expected to be
of long duration or to result in death.

         1.12 "Effective Date" shall mean July 1, 1999.

         1.13 "401(k) Plan" shall mean the Dean Foods 401(k) Plan.

         1.14 "Participant" shall mean an individual who has been designated by
the Committee as being eligible to participate in the Plan.

         1.15 "Plan" shall mean the Dean Foods Company Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan set forth in this document, as it may be amended from time to
time.

         1.16 "Plan Year" shall mean the twelve month period beginning each
January 1 and ending each December 31, except that the first Plan Year shall
commence July 1, 1999 and end December 31, 1999.

         1.17 "Profit Sharing Credit" shall mean the amount contributed to the
Participant's Account as a profit sharing credit pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof.

         1.18 "Trust" shall mean the Dean Foods Company Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan Trust.

         1.19 "Valuation Date" shall mean each business day on which the
financial markets are open for trading activity or such other dates as may be
established by the Committee.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   ELIGIBILITY

         Participation in the Plan shall be made available to a select group of
individuals, as determined by the Committee, who are providing services to the
Company or an Affiliate in key positions of management and responsibility.
Participation in the Plan shall also be made available to members of the Board
and any outside directors of subsidiaries of the Company. Such individuals may
elect to participate hereunder by executing a participation agreement in such
form and at such time as the Committee shall require, provided that each
participation agreement shall be executed no later than the day immediately
preceding the Plan Year for which an individual elects to make contributions to
the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the first year in which an individual becomes
eligible to participate in the Plan, he may elect to participate in the Plan by
executing a participation agreement, in such form as the Committee shall
require, within thirty (30) days of the date on which he is notified by the
Committee of his eligibility to participate in the Plan. In such event, his
election to participate in the Plan shall become effective as of the first full
payroll period beginning on or after the Committee's receipt of his
participation agreement. The determination as to the eligibility of any
individual to participate in the Plan shall be in the sole and absolute
discretion of the Committee, whose decision in that regard shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes hereunder.

                                  ARTICLE III

                               CREDITS TO ACCOUNT

         3.1 For any Plan Year, a Participant may, in the manner prescribed by
the Committee, irrevocably elect to defer a portion of the Annual Compensation
otherwise payable to such Participant with respect to such Plan Year, not to
exceed the maximum amount established by the Committee. Any amount deferred,
pursuant to this Article III, from the Annual Compensation otherwise payable to
a Participant shall be transferred to the Trust and credited to the Account of
such Participant as soon as practicable after the date on which such amounts
would otherwise have been paid to the Participant.

         3.2 The Committee shall credit a matching contribution, calculated as
provided in this Section 3.2, to the Company Contribution Account of each
Participant who has deferred amounts under the Plan during any Plan Year
pursuant to Section 3.1 above. The matching contribution, if any, shall be
computed as follows: (i) the Committee shall first compute a maximum matching
contribution for each Participant for a Plan Year, on the salary deferrals made
by the Participant under the 401(k) plan in which the Participant participates,
using the formula applied by such 401(k) plan with respect to percentage of
salary deferrals matched and the maximum percentage of compensation which is
subject to the match, but using the Participant's Annual Compensation as defined
in this Plan up to the maximum compensation that may be considered on behalf of
a participant under such 401(k) plan (unless otherwise approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company); (ii) the Committee shall then determine the amount of
matching contributions made for the Participant under such 401(k) plan; and
(iii) the difference between (i) and (ii), if any, is the matching contribution
to be credited to the Participant's Company Contribution Account

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

under the Plan. The Committee shall credit a matching contribution, if any, to
the Participant's Company Contribution Account as soon as administratively
practicable following the end of the Plan Year in which the 401(k) plan year
ends, and the Company shall transfer a similar amount to the Trust as soon as
administratively practicable following such date. A member of the Board or an
outside director of a subsidiary who participates in the Plan is not eligible
for matching contributions.

         3.3 For each Plan Year, the Committee shall credit each Participant's
Company Contribution Account with an amount that represents a Profit Sharing
Credit. The Profit Sharing Credit shall be equal in amount to the additional
contribution, if any, which would have been allocated as a non-matching
contribution to the Participant's account in the 401(k) plan in which the
Participant is eligible to participate, if the Participant had not elected to
defer, pursuant to this Plan, Annual Compensation that otherwise would have been
paid during the plan year of the 401(k) plan which ends in the Plan Year. The
Committee shall credit the Profit Sharing Credit to the Company Contribution
Account of each Participant entitled thereto as soon as administratively
practicable following the end of the Plan Year. A member of the Board or an
outside director of a subsidiary who participates in the Plan is not eligible
for a Profit Sharing Credit.

         3.4 At the time of making the deferrals elections described in Section
3.1 and at such other times as is allowed by the Committee, the Participant
shall designate, on a form provided by the Committee, the types of investments,
including life insurance policies, in which the Participant's Account will be
deemed to be invested for purposes of determining the amount of earnings to be
credited to that Account. On a quarterly or other basis selected by the
Committee, the Committee shall credit to each Participant's Account an amount
equal to the interest, earnings or losses that would have resulted to the
Account if the amounts credited to the Account were invested as elected by the
Participant. If the Participant designates a deemed investment in a life
insurance policy, the rate of earnings to be credited to such Participant's
Account shall be as set forth in a split-dollar life insurance agreement or
other agreement concerning such a policy.

         3.5 In addition to the other investments which the Participant may
designate in which such Participant's Account shall be deemed to be invested for
the purpose of determining the amount of earnings to be credited to that
Account, a Participant may designate that all or a portion of such Participant's
bonus be deemed to be invested in Company stock. If a Participant makes such an
election, the Committee shall credit to the Participant's Account the number of
shares that could have been purchased on the open market on a date and at a time
selected by the Company which is not more than two business days after the bonus
is determined by the Company, but applying a 15% discount to the purchase price.
If the Participant makes such a designation with respect to a bonus, such
designation shall remain in force throughout the Participant's participation in
the Plan and the Participant shall not be entitled to change such designation. A
Participant who makes such a designation with respect to bonuses paid in one
year can make another investment designation for bonuses paid in other years.

         3.6 At any time, the Company may, in its sole discretion, credit an
amount on behalf of a particular Participant to his or her account. The
crediting of such an amount shall be evidenced by providing the Participant a
notice or statement specifying the amount of the credit.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

Thereafter, the amount credited to the Participant's Account shall be subject to
all of the same terms and provisions as amounts credited to the Account under
Sections 3.1 through 3.4 of the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    BENEFITS

         4.1 After the death of a Participant, the Beneficiary of such
Participant shall be entitled to the entire value of all amounts credited to
such Participant's Account, determined as of the Valuation Date coincident with
or preceding the date of distribution, including any additional amount credited
to such Participant's Account as a result of life insurance proceeds payable on
the Participant's death.

         4.2 After the Disability of a Participant, such Participant shall be
entitled to the entire value of all amounts credited to such Participant's
Account, determined as of the Valuation Date coincident with or preceding the
date of Disability. Such amount shall be payable to the Participant at the time
and in the manner determined by the Committee.

         4.3 After a Participant's employment terminates or such Participant
ceases to be a member of the Board or a board of directors of a subsidiary for
any reason other than death or Disability, such Participant shall be entitled to
the entire value of all amounts credited to the Account of such Participant,
determined as of the Valuation Date coincident with or preceding the date of
distribution, except that the Participant shall only be entitled to the vested
portion, if any, of his Company Contribution Account. The vested portion of a
Participant's Company Contribution Account shall be determined by applying the
Participant's vesting percentage calculated pursuant to the terms of the 401(k)
Plan. In addition to crediting service with Related Employers, as that term is
defined in the 401(k) Plan, the Company will credit service with organizations
and their predecessors in which the Company owns an interest but which do not
qualify as Related Employers.

         4.4 If a Participant has designated that all or a portion of a bonus
that otherwise would be paid to such Participant shall be deferred pursuant to
the Plan and deemed to be invested in Company Stock, then the following rules
shall apply to that portion of the Participant's Account:

         (a)      If the Participant becomes entitled to a distribution from the
                  Plan and such distribution is as a result of the Participant's
                  termination of employment because of death, Disability, or
                  retirement on or after age 65, then such Participant shall be
                  entitled to a distribution of the portion of his Account which
                  is deemed to be invested in Company Stock either in shares of
                  Company Stock or in a cash payment equal to the value of such
                  Company Stock, determined as of the Valuation Date coincident
                  with or preceding the date of distribution.

         (b)      If a Participant is entitled to a distribution for a reason
                  other than death, Disability, or retirement on or after age
                  65, or if a Participant elects to take an in-service
                  withdrawal as authorized in Article VI, the Participant shall
                  be entitled to

                                      -5-
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                  receive Company Stock that has been credited to the
                  Participant's account for the number of years in the schedule
                  below, calculated as of the date of the termination or request
                  for withdrawal, as the case may be (or a cash payment equal to
                  the value of such shares), in the percentage set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                    Vested Percentage      Number of Years
                    -----------------      ---------------
<S>                                        <C>
                    85%                    less than one year
                    92.5%                  at least one but less than two years
                    100%                   two or more years
</Table>

In the case of an in-service withdrawal, the reductions and limitations of
Article VI shall apply to the amount determined pursuant to this Section 4.4(b).

                                   ARTICLE V

                       PAYMENT OF BENEFITS AT TERMINATION

         5.1 In the case of a Participant who terminates employment with the
Company or ceases to be a member of the Board or an outside director of a
subsidiary of the Company, the amount credited to the Participant's Account
(provided it is more than $25,000) shall be paid in cash (except as otherwise
provided in Section 4.4), to the Participant, at the time the distribution of
the Account is to commence, from among the following optional forms of benefit
as elected by the Participant on the form provided by the Company upon his or
her initial participation in the Plan:

         (1)      a lump sum distribution;

         (2)      substantially equal annual installments over five (5) years;

         (3)      substantially equal annual installments over ten (10) years;
                  or

         (4)      substantially equal annual installments over fifteen (15)
                  years.

         If a portion of the Participant's Account is invested in Company Stock,
and an installment form of payment is elected, then the distribution shall be
deemed to be made on a pro rata basis out of the other investment options in
which amounts credited to a Participant's Account are deemed to be invested
first, and then, after all such other amounts are distributed, from the portion
of the Participant's Account which is deemed to be invested in Company Stock.
Notwithstanding the Participant's distribution election, if the amount credited
to a Participant's Account is $25,000 or less, at the time distribution of the
Account is to commence, payment will be made in a lump sum, and even if
installment payments have commenced under this Section 5.1, at such time as the
value of such remaining amounts is $25,000 or less, all remaining amounts
credited to a Participant's Account shall be distributed in a lump sum.

         Payment shall commence as soon as practicable following the
Participant's termination of employment with the Company or termination as a
member of the Board or a director of a subsidiary of the Company, or, if so
elected by the Participant in the Participant's deferral election form provided
by the Committee, as soon as practicable during the calendar year following the
year in which such event occurs. If installment payments are made, the unpaid

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

balance of the Participant's Account shall continue to share in the income and
losses attributable thereto, in accordance with the provisions of the Trust,
during the period for which installment payments are made. A Participant may
modify the optional form of benefit that he or she has previously elected, as
long as he or she provides the Committee with written notice at least one (1)
year in advance of the effective date of the change.

         5.2 Payment of a Participant's benefit on account of death shall be
made in a lump sum in cash or, to the extent that Section 4.4 applies, in shares
of Company Stock. Payment of a Participant's death benefit shall be made to the
Beneficiary of such Participant as soon as practicable following the Committee's
receipt of proper notice of such Participant's death.

         5.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, the benefits
payable hereunder may be paid before they would otherwise be payable if, based
on a change in the federal or applicable state tax or revenue laws, a published
ruling or similar announcement issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a
regulation issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, a decision by a court of
competent jurisdiction involving a Participant or a Beneficiary, or a closing
agreement made under Section 7121 of the Code that is approved by the Internal
Revenue Service and involves a Participant, the Committee determines that a
Participant has or will recognize income for federal or state income tax
purposes with respect to amounts that are or will be payable under the Plan
before they otherwise would be paid. The amount of any payments pursuant to this
Section 5.3 shall not exceed the lesser of: (a) the amount in the Participant's
Account or (b) the amount of taxable income with respect to which the tax
liability is assessed or determined.

         5.4 The payment of benefits under the Plan shall begin at the date
specified in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof;
provided that, in case of administrative necessity, the starting date of payment
of benefits may be delayed up to thirty (30) days as long as such delay does not
result in the Participant or Beneficiary receiving the distribution in a
different taxable year than if no such delay had occurred.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS

         6.1 (HARDSHIP WITHDRAWALS): In the event of an unforeseeable emergency,
a Participant may make a request to the Committee for a withdrawal from the
Account of such Participant. For purposes of this Section, the term
"unforeseeable emergency" shall mean a severe financial hardship to the
Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the
Participant or of a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code) of the
Participant, loss of the Participant's property due to casualty, or other
similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of
events beyond the control of the Participant. Any determination of the existence
of an unforeseeable emergency and the amount to be withdrawn on account thereof
shall be made by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion. However,
notwithstanding the foregoing, a withdrawal will not be permitted to the extent
that the financial hardship is or may be relieved: (i) through reimbursement or
compensation by insurance or otherwise; (ii) by liquidation of the Participant's
assets, to the extent that liquidation of such assets would not itself cause
severe financial hardship; or (iii) by

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

cessation of deferrals under this Plan. In no event shall the need to send a
Participant's child to college or the desire to purchase a home be deemed to
constitute an unforeseeable emergency. No member of the Committee shall vote or
decide upon any matter relating to the determination of the existence of such
member's own financial hardship or the amount to be withdrawn on account
thereof. A request for a hardship withdrawal must be made in the manner
prescribed by the Committee, and must be expressed as a specific dollar amount.
The amount of a hardship withdrawal may not exceed the amount required to meet
the severe financial hardship. All hardship withdrawals shall be paid in a lump
sum in cash or, to the extent Section 4.4 applies, in shares of Company Stock.

         6.2 (SCHEDULED IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS): On a form prescribed by the
Committee, a Participant, prior to the beginning of any Plan Year, can elect to
receive that Plan Year's deferrals made pursuant to Section 3.1, matching
contributions credited pursuant to Section 3.2, any additional credits made that
Plan Year pursuant to Sections 3.3, 3.5 or 3.6, and earnings thereon, at a date
specified by the Participant. Such date shall be no earlier than two (2) years
from the last day of the Plan Year for which the deferrals and matching and
other credits are made. A Participant may extend the scheduled in-service
withdrawal date for any Plan Year, as long as the Participant provides advance
written notice to the Committee at least one year before the scheduled payment
date, and such extension is for a period of not less than one year from the
previous, scheduled in-service withdrawal date. Any withdrawal under this
Section 6.2 shall be made in a single lump sum, in cash, or to the extent
Section 4.4 applies, in shares of Company Stock.

         6.3 (UNSCHEDULED IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS): Notwithstanding any other
provision herein to the contrary, a Participant who is actively employed or has
started receiving installment payments, (as provided in Section 5.1 above) may
elect to accelerate the date on which payment of his benefit hereunder would
otherwise be made, using a form provided by and filed with the Committee. Upon
such election, the amount to which such Participant is entitled shall be any
whole percentage, from ten percent (10%) to ninety percent (90%) of the benefit
otherwise payable hereunder, which shall be distributed in one lump sum, in cash
(or in shares of Company Stock to the extent that Section 4.4 applies), as soon
as administratively practicable after the early distribution election is made.
Ten percent (10%) of any amounts withdrawn from such Participant's Account shall
be forfeited as of the date of such distribution.

         If, at the time of such election, the Participant is employed by the
Company or an Affiliate, such Participant shall be prohibited from participating
in the Plan for the balance of the Plan Year and no amounts shall be credited to
his or her Account pursuant to Section 3.1 hereunder during this period. The
Participant may again elect to participate in the Plan as of the first full
payroll period after the last day of that Plan Year by executing a new
participation agreement within the time prior to such date established by the
Committee.

         6.4 Withdrawals shall be charged pro rata to the investment options in
which amounts credited to a Participant's Account are deemed to be invested
pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof. If a withdrawal exceeds the amount of a
Participant's Account which is deemed to be invested pursuant to Section 3.4
hereof, then such withdrawals shall be charged to the portion of the
Participant's Account which is deemed to be invested in Company Stock as
provided in Section 3.5 hereof.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

         7.1 The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The members of the
Committee shall not receive compensation with respect to their services for the
Committee. The members of the Committee shall serve without bond or security for
the performance of their duties hereunder unless applicable law makes the
furnishing of such bond or security mandatory or unless required by the Company.
Any member of the Committee may resign by delivering a written resignation to
the Company and to the other members of the Committee.

         7.2 The Committee shall perform any act which the Plan authorizes
expressed by a vote at a meeting or in a writing signed by a majority of its
members without a meeting. The Committee may, by a writing signed by a majority
of its members, appoint any member of the Committee to act on behalf of the
Committee. Any person who is a member of the Committee shall not vote or decide
upon any matter relating solely to such member or vote in any case in which the
individual right or claim of such member to any benefit under the Plan is
particularly involved. If, in any matter or case in which a person is so
disqualified to act, the remaining persons constituting the Committee cannot
resolve such matter or case, the Board will appoint a temporary substitute to
exercise all the powers of the disqualified person concerning the matter or case
in which such person is disqualified.

         7.3 The Committee may designate in writing other persons to carry out
its responsibilities under the Plan, and may remove any person designated to
carry out its responsibilities under the Plan by notice in writing to that
person. The Committee may employ persons to render advice with regard to any of
its responsibilities. All usual and reasonable expenses of the Committee shall
be paid by the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each
member of the Committee from and against any and all claims and expenses
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and related costs), in
connection with the performance by such member of duties in that capacity, other
than any of the foregoing arising in connection with the willful neglect or
willful misconduct of the person so acting.

         7.4 The Committee shall establish rules and procedures, not contrary to
the provisions of the Plan, for the administration of the Plan and the
transaction of its business. The Committee shall determine the eligibility of
any individual to participate in the Plan, shall interpret the Plan in its sole
and absolute discretion, and shall determine all questions arising in the
administration, interpretation and application of the Plan. All determinations
of the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all employees, Participants
and Beneficiaries.

         7.5 Any action to be taken hereunder by the Company shall be taken by
resolution adopted by the Board or by a committee thereof; provided, however,
that by resolution, the Board or a committee thereof may delegate to any officer
of the Company the authority to take any such actions hereunder.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE

         8.1 In the event that a Participant or Beneficiary is denied a claim
for benefits under this Plan (the "Claimant"), the Committee shall provide to
the Claimant written notice of the denial which shall set forth:

         (a)      the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

         (b)      specific references to pertinent Plan provisions on which the
                  Committee based its denial;

         (c)      a description of any additional material or information needed
                  for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of
                  why the material or information is needed;

         (d)      a statement that the Claimant may:

                  (i)      request a review upon written application to the
                           Committee;

                  (ii)     review pertinent Plan documents; and

                  (iii)    submit issues and comments in writing; and

         (e)      that any appeal the Claimant wishes to make of the adverse
                  determination must be in writing and received by the Committee
                  within sixty (60) days after receipt of the Committee's notice
                  of denial of benefits. The Committee's notice must further
                  advise the Claimant that failure to appeal the action to the
                  Committee in writing within the sixty (60) day period will
                  render the Committee's determination final, binding, and
                  conclusive.

         8.2 If the Claimant should appeal to the Committee, the Claimant, or
the duly authorized representative of such Claimant, may submit, in writing,
whatever issues and comments such Claimant, or the duly authorized
representative of such Claimant, feels are pertinent. The Committee shall
re-examine all facts related to the appeal and make a final determination as to
whether the denial of benefits is justified under the circumstances. The
Committee shall advise the Claimant in writing of its decision on the appeal,
the specific reasons for the decision, and the specific Plan provisions on which
the decision is based. The notice of the decision shall be given within sixty
(60) days of the Claimant's written request for review, unless special
circumstances (such as a hearing) would make the rendering of a decision within
the sixty (60) day period infeasible, but in no event shall the Committee render
a decision regarding the denial of a claim for benefits later than 120 days
after its receipt of a request for review. If an extension of time for review is
required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall
be furnished to the Claimant prior to the date the extension period commences.
The Committee's notice of denial of benefits shall identify the address to which
the Claimant may forward an appeal.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX

                              LIMITATION OF RIGHTS

         The establishment of this Plan shall not be construed as giving to any
Participant, employee of the Company or any person whomsoever, any legal,
equitable or other rights against the Company, or its officers, directors,
agents or shareholders, or as giving to any Participant or Beneficiary any
equity or other interest in the assets or business of the Company or shares of
Company stock or as giving any employee the right to be retained in the
employment of the Company. All employees of the Company and Participants shall
be subject to discharge to the same extent they would have been if this Plan had
never been adopted.

                                   ARTICLE X

                      LIMITATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND PAYMENTS
                       TO LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE

         10.1 No benefits which shall be payable under the Plan to any person
shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate,
alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, charge or otherwise dispose
of the same shall be void. No benefit shall in any manner be subject to the
debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person, nor shall it
be subject to attachment or legal process for or against any person, except to
the extent required by law.

         10.2 Whenever any benefit which shall be payable under the Plan is to
be paid to or for the benefit of any person who is then a minor or determined by
the Committee, on the basis of qualified medical advice, to be incompetent, the
Committee need not require the appointment of a guardian or custodian, but shall
be authorized to cause the same to be paid over to the person having custody of
the minor or incompetent, or to cause the same to be paid to the minor or
incompetent without the intervention of a guardian or custodian, or to cause the
same to be paid to a legal guardian or custodian of the minor or incompetent, if
one has been appointed, or to cause the same to be used for the benefit of the
minor or incompetent.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                     AMENDMENT TO OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

         The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend or terminate the
Plan in whole or in part. No amendment shall have the effect of retroactively
depriving Participants or Beneficiaries of rights already accrued under the
Plan. Upon termination of the Plan, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute
discretion, and notwithstanding any other provision hereunder to the contrary,
direct that all benefits hereunder will be paid as soon as administratively
practicable thereafter.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XII

                            GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Plan shall
be declared illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity
shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan but shall be fully
severable and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal or
invalid provision had never been inserted herein.

         12.2 Construction. The Section headings and numbers are included only
for convenience of reference and are not to be taken as limiting or extending
the meaning of any of the terms and provisions of this Plan. Whenever
appropriate, words used in the singular shall include the plural or the plural
may be read as the singular.

         12.3 Governing Law. The validity and effect of this Plan and the rights
and obligations of all persons affected hereby shall be construed and determined
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas unless superseded by federal
law.

         12.4 No Requirement to Fund. The Company is not required to set aside
any assets for payment of the benefits provided under this Plan. A Participant
shall have no security interest in any amounts credited hereunder on such
Participant's behalf. It is the Company's intention that this Plan be construed
as a plan which is unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of
providing deferred compensation for a select group of highly compensated
employees.

         12.5 Taxes. All amounts payable hereunder shall be reduced by any and
all federal, state and local taxes imposed upon the Participant or a Beneficiary
which are required to be paid or withheld by the Company.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Dean Foods Company, the Company, has caused its
corporate seal to be affixed hereto and these presents to be duly executed in
its name and behalf by its proper officers thereunto duly authorized this 25th
day of November, 2002.

                                             COMPANY:

                                             DEAN FOODS COMPANY

                                             By: /s/ Michelle P. Goolsby
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                 Executive Vice President and
                                                 General Counsel

                                      -12-<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                           FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
                      1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN OF
                               DEAN FOODS COMPANY

                                 I. INTRODUCTION

         The purpose of the Fourth Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Plan") is to make available to eligible employees of Dean
Foods Company (the "Company"), and certain related companies a means of
purchasing shares of Dean Common Stock through voluntary, regular payroll
deductions. The Plan is not subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, but is intended to qualify as an "Employee Stock
Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). The Plan shall be administered, interpreted and construed
in accordance with Section 423 of the Code.

         Participation in the Plan is entirely voluntary, and the Company makes
no recommendations to employees as to whether they should or should not
participate.

                                 II. DEFINITIONS

         2.1. DEFINITIONS. The following words and phrases shall have the
following meanings:

         "ADMINISTRATOR" means the entity or person designated to act as
Administrator of the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1.

         "BASE COMPENSATION" means gross compensation for the relevant pay
period, including overtime pay, but excluding all bonuses, severance pay, any
extraordinary pay, expense allowances/reimbursements, moving expenses and income
from restricted stock or stock option awards. For these purposes, gross
compensation includes any amount that would be included in taxable income but
for the fact that it was contributed to a qualified plan pursuant to an elective
deferral under Section 401(k) of the Code or contributed under a salary
reduction agreement pursuant to Section 125 of the Code.

         "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         "BROKER" means a duly licensed securities dealer, broker or agent
designated to act as Broker of the Plan pursuant to Section 6.2.

         "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board, which, to
the extent required by Rule 16b-3, shall consist entirely of non-employee
directors (as defined in Rule 16b-3).

                                                                     Page 1 of 9
<PAGE>

         "COMPANY" means Dean Foods Company (formerly known as Suiza Foods
Corporation).

         "COMMON STOCK" means Dean's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

         "CODE" has the meaning set forth in Article I.

         "DEAN COMPANY" means the Company or any Related Corporation.

         "ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE" means any employee of any Dean Company, excluding
any employee (a) who has been employed by a Dean Company for less than 60 days,
(b) whose customary employment with the employee's Employer is 20 hours or less
per week, (c) whose customary employment with the employee's Employer is not for
more than five months in any calendar year, or (d) who immediately after the
grant of an option under this Plan to the employee would (in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 423 and 424(d) of the Code) own stock possessing 5% or
more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
"employer corporation" or of its "Parent Corporations" or "Subsidiary
Corporations," as defined in Section 424 of the Code.

         "EMPLOYER" means, with respect to any Participant, the Dean Company of
which the Participant is an Eligible Employee.

         "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to a share of Common Stock, the
last sales price (or average of the quoted closing bid and asked prices if there
is no closing sales price reported) of a share of Common Stock as reported by
the New York Stock Exchange (or by the principal national stock exchange on
which the Common Stock is then listed) on the date of valuation, if such date is
a business day, or the immediately preceding business day, if such date is not a
business day.

         "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 9.2.

         "INITIAL OPTION PERIOD" means the Option Period commencing on the Plan
Start Date and ending on July 31, 1997.

         "1933 ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "OPTION" means an option granted pursuant to this Plan at the beginning
of each Option Period to acquire Common Stock.

         "OPTION EXERCISE DATE" means the last day of each Option Period.

         "OPTION PERIOD" means each calendar month during the period beginning
on the Plan Start Date and ending on June 30, 2007, unless the Plan is
terminated earlier.

                                                                     Page 2 of 9
<PAGE>

         "PAYROLL DEDUCTION ACCOUNT" means, with respect to each Participant,
the amounts credited to the Participant's account from the payroll deductions
made by the Participant under this Plan, less any amounts withdrawn from such
account (for payment of Common Stock, payment to the Participant, payment of
withholding and other taxes or amounts or payment of other obligations or
amounts).

         "PARTICIPANT" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 3.2.

         "PLAN" means the Third Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Dean Foods Company as the same may be amended from time to
time.

         "PLAN START DATE" means July 1, 1997.

         "RELATED CORPORATION" means any present or future corporation which
would be a "subsidiary corporation" or "parent corporation" of the Company as
such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code.

         "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the 1933 Act.

         "STOCK ACCOUNT" means, with respect to each Participant, the number of
shares of Common Stock credited under this Plan to the Participant's account.
Dividends with respect to shares of Common Stock credited to a Participant's
Stock Account shall be paid to the Participant and shall not be held in either
the Participant's Stock Account or Payroll Deduction Account.

                               III. PARTICIPATION

         3.1. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. Subject to ARTICLE VIII, all Eligible
Employees as of the beginning of each Option Period may participate in the Plan
for such Option Period at their election.

         3.2. PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES. If an Eligible Employee does not
otherwise have an election to become a Participant in effect, each Eligible
Employee choosing to participate in the Plan (herein called a "Participant")
during an Option Period shall enroll as a Participant in the Plan by filing with
the Participant's Employer a completed enrollment form (authorized by the
Administrator) no later than 15 days prior to the beginning of any Option Period
(including the Initial Option Period).

         3.3. EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS. Subject to other limitations provided in
this Plan, a Participant may contribute under the Plan a minimum of one percent
(1%) and a maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of the Participant's Base
Compensation. Contributions may be made only through regular payroll deductions,
net of any tax or other withholdings.

         An enrollment form and payroll deduction authorization will remain
effective for each Option Period until terminated in writing by a Participant or
until the Participant is no longer

                                                                     Page 3 of 9
<PAGE>

eligible to participate in the Plan. The payroll deduction authorization may be
reduced or terminated at any time by the Participant's written request submitted
to the Participant's Employer; provided, however, that a Participant may not
recommence or increase payroll deductions until the beginning of the next Option
Period, nor may a Participant make more than one revision of the Participant's
payroll deduction authorization in any Option Period. Termination of deductions
shall constitute withdrawal from the Plan as set forth in Section 3.5 and
cancellation of any outstanding Options of the Participant. Reduction or
termination of deductions will become effective as soon as practicable after a
Participant's written request is received by the Participant's Employer.

         3.4. PARTICIPANT RESTRICTION. Notwithstanding any provisions of this
Plan to the contrary, no Participant will be granted an option under this Plan
which would permit the Participant's rights to purchase shares of stock under
all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and "parent corporations" and
"subsidiary corporations" (within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) to
accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the Fair Market Value of such stock
(determined at the time each Option is "Granted" (within the meaning of Code
Section 423(b)(8)) for each calendar year during which any Option granted to
such Participant is outstanding at any time, as provided in Sections 423 and
424(d) of the Code.

         3.5. WITHDRAWAL FROM PLAN. A Participant may withdraw from the Plan
(thereby canceling all Options then in existence) at any time by giving written
notice to the Participant's Employer and to the Administrator. The Administrator
shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written notice of a Participant's
withdrawal from the Plan, cause to be delivered to the Participant a check
representing any funds held to the credit of the Participant's Payroll Deduction
Account. A Participant who has withdrawn from the Plan may thereafter reenter
the Plan by following the procedure described under Section 3.2, but not sooner
than the beginning of the next Option Period after the Participant has withdrawn
from participation.

         3.6. TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S EMPLOYMENT. Upon termination of a
Participant's employment from the Dean Companies for any reason, including death
or disability, the Participant's Payroll Deduction Account in the Plan shall be
closed, and all existing Options held by the Participant shall be canceled. The
Administrator shall, as soon as practicable after termination of a Participant's
employment, cause to be delivered to the Participant or the Participant's estate
or the Participant's designated beneficiary as provided below, as applicable, a
check representing any funds held to the credit of the Participant's Payroll
Deduction Account. In the event of a Participant's death, the Participant's
Payroll Deduction Account shall be delivered and paid to the estate of such
Participant or to a beneficiary designated by the Participant in writing on a
form approved by the Administrator.

             IV. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE STOCK; MAXIMUM SHARES AVAILABLE

         4.1. MAXIMUM SHARES. The maximum number of shares which shall be issued
under the Plan, subject to adjustment upon changes in Common Stock under Article
VII, shall be 1,500,000 shares.

                                                                     Page 4 of 9
<PAGE>

         4.2. OFFERINGS. Subject to Article XIII, the Company shall make
consecutive offerings on the beginning of each Option Period to Participants to
purchase Common Stock as long as shares authorized remain available for
issuance. Each offering as of the beginning of each Option Period shall be the
total number of shares authorized under Section 4.1, less the number of shares
issued by purchases of Common Stock under Section 5.5 in prior Option Periods.

                    V. PURCHASE OF STOCK PURSUANT TO OPTIONS

         5.1. PAYROLL DEDUCTION ACCOUNTS. Each Dean Company will deduct from its
Participants' paychecks such amounts as have been authorized by the Participants
and, promptly after the end of each month, remit to the Administrator all
amounts so deducted during the month, together with a report showing each
Participant and the amounts allocable to the Payroll Deduction Account of each
Participant. The Administrator shall credit each Participant's Payroll Deduction
Account with the amount of such deposits, and shall reduce the Participant's
Payroll Deduction Account by the purchase price of all Common Stock purchased by
the Participant under this Plan and by any other withdrawals from the
Participant's Payroll Deduction Account. The Plan, through its Administrator,
shall purchase for the Stock Accounts of the Participants shares of Common Stock
with funds received under the Plan.

         5.2. STOCK ACCOUNTS. The Broker will open and maintain a Stock Account
in the name of each Participant to which will be credited all shares of Common
Stock purchased for the Participant's benefit. All shares held under the Plan
will be registered in the name of the Plan or the Broker, and will remain so
registered until the shares are delivered to the Participant. The Participant
shall have the right to sell all or any part of the shares held in the
Participant's Stock Account, pursuant to procedures established by the Broker.

         5.3. GRANT OF OPTIONS AND PURCHASE. Subject to ARTICLE VIII, each
person who is a Participant on the first day of an Option Period will as of the
first day of such Option Period be granted an Option for such period. Such
Option will be for the number of shares of Common Stock to be determined by
dividing (a) the balance in the Participant's Payroll Deduction Account on the
Option Exercise Date, by (b) the purchase price per share of Common Stock
determined under Section 5.4 below. The number of shares of Common Stock
receivable by each Participant upon exercise of an Option for an Option Period
shall be reduced, on a substantially proportionate basis, in the event that the
number of shares then available under the Plan is otherwise insufficient.

         5.4. PURCHASE PRICE. On Option Exercise Dates occurring prior to
January 1, 2001, the purchase price of each share of Common Stock purchased
pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be .90 multiplied by the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the last day of the Option Period. On Option
Exercise Dates occurring after January 1, 2001, the purchase price of each share
of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be 0.85
multiplied by the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the last day of the
Option Period.

                                                                     Page 5 of 9
<PAGE>

         5.5. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Each person who is a Participant in the Plan
on each Option Exercise Date will be deemed to have exercised on that Option
Exercise Date the Option granted to the Participant for that Option Period. Upon
such exercise, the balance of the Participant's Payroll Deduction Account shall
be applied to the purchase of the number of shares of Common Stock determined
under Section 5.3, and the amount of shares of Common Stock purchased shall be
credited to the Participant's Stock Account. In the event that the balance of
the Participant's Payroll Deduction Account following an Option Period is in
excess of the total purchase price of the shares of Common Stock so purchased,
the balance of the Payroll Deduction Account shall be returned to the
Participant.

         Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company's
obligation to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock under the Plan is subject
to the approval required of any governmental authority in connection with the
authorization, issuance, sale or transfer of such shares, to any requirements of
the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange applicable
thereto, and to compliance by the Company with other applicable legal
requirements in effect from time to time, including without limitation any
applicable tax withholding requirements.

         5.6. NO ASSIGNMENT OF PARTICIPANT'S INTEREST IN PLAN. A Participant may
not assign, sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or alienate any Options or other
interests in or rights under the Plan. Options under the Plan are exercisable by
a Participant during the Participant's lifetime only by the Participant. All
employees shall have the same rights and privileges under the Plan.

         5.7. VESTING. Each Participant will immediately acquire full ownership
of all shares of Common Stock at the time such shares are credited to the
Participant's Stock Account.

         5.8. DIVIDENDS, SPLITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Any stock dividends or stock
splits in respect of shares held in the Participant's Stock Account will be
credited to the Participant's account automatically. Any distributions to
holders of Common Stock or other securities or rights to subscribe for
additional shares of Common Stock will be handled in the same manner as a cash
dividend, unless the Participant instructs the Administrator to the contrary.

         5.9. VOTING RIGHTS. The Broker will deliver to each Participant as
promptly as practicable, by mail or otherwise, all notices of meetings, proxy
statements and other material distributed by the Company to its stockholders.
The full shares of Common Stock in each Participant's Stock Account will be
voted in accordance with the Participant's signed proxy instructions duly
delivered to the Broker or pursuant to any other method of voting available to
holders of Common Stock. There will be no charge to the Participant for the
Administrator's retention or delivery of stock certificates, or in connection
with notices, proxies or other such material.

         5.10. NO INTEREST TO BE PAID. No interest will be paid to or credited
to the Payroll Deduction Accounts or Stock Accounts of the Participants.

                                                                     Page 6 of 9
<PAGE>

                           VI. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

         6.1. THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE COMMITTEE. To carry out the purposes of
the Plan, the Committee shall appoint an Administrator. The Administrator may be
any company or individual that the Committee deems qualified, including the
Company. The Administrator shall be responsible for the implementation of the
Plan, including allocation of funds to the Payroll Deduction Accounts and
distribution of purchased Common Stock to the Stock Accounts, and keeping
adequate and accurate records of such activities for the Participants.

         The Committee shall be entitled to adopt and apply guidelines and
procedures consistent with the purposes of the Plan. In order to effectuate the
purposes of the Plan, the Committee shall have the discretionary authority to
construe and interpret the Plan, to supply any omissions therein, to reconcile
and correct any errors or inconsistencies, to decide any questions in the
administration and application of the Plan, and to make equitable adjustments
for any mistakes or errors made in the administration of the Plan, and all such
actions or determinations made by the Committee, and the application of rules
and regulations to a particular case or issue by the Committee, in good faith,
shall not be subject to review by anyone, but shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all persons ever interested hereunder.

         6.2. BROKER. The Administrator may, in its discretion, with the consent
and approval of the Committee, appoint a Broker. The Broker may be any company
or individual that the Committee deems qualified; provided, however, that the
Broker shall be a licensed security dealer, broker, or agent authorized to make
purchases and sales of Common Stock.

         6.3. REPORTING TO PARTICIPANTS. The Broker will make available to each
Participant an accounting of the Participant's Stock Account.

                  VII. ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK

         7.1. CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK. If any change is made in the Common Stock
(through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock
dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating
dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate
structure or otherwise), the Administrator will make appropriate adjustments in
the number of shares and price per share of Common Stock subject to the Plan or
to any Option granted under the Plan.

         7.2. DISSOLUTION; MERGER; CAPITAL REORGANIZATION; ETC. In the event of
(i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or a reverse merger in
which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock by
virtue of the merger are converted into other property, whether in the form of
securities, cash or otherwise; or (iii) any other capital reorganization in
which more than 50 percent of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote are
exchanged, the Plan shall terminate, unless another corporation assumes the
responsibility of

                                                                     Page 7 of 9
<PAGE>

continuing the operation of the Plan or the Committee determines in its
discretion that the Plan shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect.
If the Committee elects to terminate the Plan, the Administrator shall send to
each Participant cash in an amount equal to the funds held to the credit of such
Participant's Payroll Deduction Account.

         7.3. COMPANY'S RIGHT TO RESTRUCTURE, ETC. The grant of any right to a
Participant pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power
of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or
changes of its capital or business structure or to merge or to consolidate or to
dissolve, liquidate or sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or
assets.

                      VIII. AMENDMENT; TERMINATION OF PLAN

         8.1. AMENDMENT. The Company, acting through the Committee, reserves the
right to amend or terminate the Plan at any time or times; provided, however,
any amendment that would require the consent of stockholders under applicable
law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, the Code, the Exchange
Act or any self regulatory organization such as a national securities exchange),
will not be made unless such stockholders' consent is obtained.

         8.2. TERMINATION. In addition, the Plan shall terminate automatically
on the tenth anniversary of the Plan Start Date, or on any Option Exercise Date
when Participants become entitled to purchase a number of shares greater than
the number of reserved shares remaining available for purchase, subject to the
allocation of remaining shares pursuant to the last sentence of Section 5.3.
Upon termination of the Plan, all amounts held in the Payroll Deduction Accounts
shall, to the extent not used to purchase shares of Common Stock, be refunded to
the Participants entitled thereto.

                                IX. MISCELLANEOUS

         9.1. EXPENSES OF PLAN. No fees or commissions will be charged for the
purchase of Common Stock by Participants under the Plan. The Broker's brokerage
commissions incurred in connection with sales of Common Stock by Participants or
other transactions in Participants' Stock Accounts will be paid by the
Participants. If the Company is acting as Administrator, no expenses of
administration will be charged to the Participants.

         9.2. INDEMNIFICATION. In the event and to the extent not insured
against under any contract of insurance with an insurance company, the Company
shall indemnify and hold harmless each "Indemnified Person," as defined below,
against any and all claims, demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages,
interest, penalties, expenses (specifically including, but not limited to,
counsel fees to the extent approved by the Board or otherwise provided by law,
court costs and other reasonable expenses of litigation), and liability of every
kind, including amounts paid in settlement, with the approval of the Board,
arising from any action or cause of action related to the Indemnified Person's
act or acts or failure to act. Such indemnity shall apply regardless of whether
such claims, demands, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, interest,

                                                                     Page 8 of 9
<PAGE>

penalties, expenses and liability arise in whole or in part from (a) the
negligence or other fault of the Indemnified Person, or (b) from the imposition
on such Indemnified Person of any civil penalties or excise taxes pursuant to
the Code or any other applicable laws; except when the same is judicially
determined to be due to gross negligence, fraud, recklessness, or willful or
intentional misconduct of such Indemnified Person. "Indemnified Person" shall
mean each member of the Board, the Administrator, each member of the Committee
and each other employee of any Dean Company who is allocated fiduciary
responsibility hereunder.

         9.3. NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT INTENDED. The granting of any rights to
an Eligible Employee under this Plan shall not constitute an agreement or
understanding, express or implied, on the part of any Dean Company, to employ
such Eligible Employee for any specified period.

         9.4. GOVERNING LAW. The construction, validity and operation of this
Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

         9.5. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Plan is
determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality
or unenforcability shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan, but
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions shall be fully severable, and
the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had never been
inserted herein.

         9.6. NO LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY. Neither the Company, its directors,
officers or employees of the Committee, nor any Related Corporation which is in
existence or hereafter comes into existence, shall be liable to any Participant
or other person if it is determined for any reason by the Internal Revenue
Service or any court having jurisdiction that the Plan does not qualify under
Section 423 of the Code.

         The Company has caused this Plan to be adopted effective as of the Plan
Start Date.

Last Amended and
Restated:  August 2003

                                                                     Page 9 of 9

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