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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-022092.txt : 20091109
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-022092.hdr.sgml : 20091109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091109133909
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-022092
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091105
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091109
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCCOLLAM SHARON
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001225930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14335
		FILM NUMBER:		091167547

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEL MONTE FOODS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000866873
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CANNED, FRUITS, VEG & PRESERVES, JAMS & JELLIES [2033]
		IRS NUMBER:				133542950
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0429

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MARKET @ THE LANDMARK
		STREET 2:		C/O DEL MONTE CORP
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		415-247-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MARKET @ THE LANDMARK
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94105

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DMPF HOLDINGS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19600201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-05</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000866873</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DEL MONTE FOODS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DLM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001225930</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCCOLLAM SHARON</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>DEL MONTE CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE MARKET @ THE LANDMARK</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01, Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>124</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.78</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>48558</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01, Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2108</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.80</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50666</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents 124.22 deferred stock units issued under Del Monte Foods Company's 2002 Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to the Del Monte Foods Company 2005 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, and similar prior plans.  Under such deferred compensation plans, each deferred stock unit issued in connection with the plan is credited with dividends that are converted into additional deferred stock units.  The deferred stock units reported herein reflect the additional deferred stock units credited in connection with the dividend the Company paid on 11/5/09.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Credited dividends were converted into additional deferred stock units based on the high/low average of the Company's stock on the transaction date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 43,557.68 deferred stock units (including 16,663 deferred restricted stock units).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents 2,107.46 deferred stock units issued under Del Monte Foods Company's 2002 Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to Del Monte Foods Company's 2005 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, in connection with deferral of cash compensation earned in accordance with the provisions of the Del Monte Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Deferred cash was converted into deferred stock units based on the high/low average of the Company's stock on 11/6/09, the date cash compensation was otherwise paid to non-employee directors.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Includes 45,665.14 deferred stock units (including 16,663 deferred restricted stock units).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James Potter, signed pursuant to power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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