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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 FgKS0eaBMfiXQ5ES/xH/jA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-012851.txt : 20100503
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-012851.hdr.sgml : 20100503
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100503193322
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-012851
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081017
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100503
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100503

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRENCH RICHARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243122

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14335
		FILM NUMBER:		10794602

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:			0502

	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>2008-10-17</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243122</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRENCH RICHARD L</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>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Treas., CAO and Contr</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01, Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-10-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>I</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7692</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.84</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7692</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01, Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1277</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.71</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6366</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01, Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40729</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects the transfer of funds into the Del Monte stock fund under the 401(k) plan, converted to shares for purposes of reporting based on the closing price of Del Monte common stock on the transaction date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reflects the reporting person's interest in equivalent shares held by the unitized stock fund in the Del Monte 401(k) savings plan (Plan) as of the transaction date. The unitized stock fund consists of Del Monte common stock (approximately 96% of the fund value) and cash or cash equivalents (approximately 4% of the fund value). The number of shares attributed to the reporting person as a Plan participant and expressed as equivalent shares has been calculated based on the closing price of Del Monte common stock on the transaction date and may change from time to time without the volition of the reporting person depending on the fair market value of Del Monte common stock and the amount of cash in the fund.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Reflects the transfer of funds out of the Del Monte stock fund under the 401(k) plan, converted to shares for purposes of reporting based on the closing price of Del Monte common stock on the transaction date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James Potter, signed pursuant to power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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