Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 03, 2009
Sales	$ 32,266	$ 28,430	$ 26,704
Cost of Sales	30,067	25,916	25,501
Gross Profit (Loss)	2,199	2,514	1,203
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	914	929	841
Goodwill impairment	0	29	560
Other charges	0	0	17
Operating Income (Loss)	1,285	1,556	(215)
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest income	(11)	(14)	(17)
Interest expense	242	347	327
Other, net	(20)	20	18
Total Other (Income) Expense	211	353	328
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	1,074	1,203	(543)
Income Tax Expense	341	438	7
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	733	765	(550)
Loss from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	0	(1)
Net Income (Loss)	733	765	(551)
Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(17)	(15)	(4)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$ 750	$ 780	$ (547)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Diluted	380	379	372
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson:
Diluted	$ 1.97	$ 2.06	$ (1.47)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Discontinued Operation Attributable to Tyson:
Diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Tyson:
Diluted	$ 1.97	$ 2.06	$ (1.47)
Common Class A [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	303	303	302
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson:
Basic	$ 2.04	$ 2.13	$ (1.49)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Discontinued Operation Attributable to Tyson:
Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Tyson:
Basic	$ 2.04	$ 2.13	$ (1.49)
Common Class B [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	70	70	70
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson:
Basic	$ 1.84	$ 1.91	$ (1.35)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share from Discontinued Operation Attributable to Tyson:
Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable To Tyson:
Basic	$ 1.84	$ 1.91	$ (1.35)