Revenues from External Customers and EBIT (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 06, 2012	Oct. 08, 2011	Oct. 06, 2012	Oct. 08, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 1,957,111	$ 2,086,032	$ 5,302,176	$ 5,687,861
Share-based compensation			(9,448)	(6,891)
Write-off of debt issuance costs and refinancing fees		(12,739)		(12,759)
Loss on early retirement of notes		(13,453)	(433)	(13,453)
Operating segments EBIT	42,594	35,055	220,130	264,446
Interest expense	(39,953)	(41,402)	(101,546)	(111,709)
Income taxes	8,055	(123)	230	(18,781)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(13,630)	(46,961)	69,085	37,547
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(234)	(43)	(266)	188
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes				339
Net income (loss)	(13,864)	(47,004)	68,819	38,074
Fresh Fruit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	1,254,472	1,422,823	3,516,673	3,998,106
Operating segments EBIT	10,069	4,856	136,514	178,323
Fresh Vegetables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	326,570	297,422	851,054	786,522
Operating segments EBIT	3,220	6,145	20,506	24,008
Packaged Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	375,928	365,601	934,113	902,722
Operating segments EBIT	29,305	24,054	63,110	62,115
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	141	186	336	511
Unrealized loss on cross currency swap				(3,787)
Unrealized gain (loss) on long-term Japanese yen hedges	870	2,413	271	(20,167)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on foreign denominated instruments	(2,886)	1,854	212	(4,580)
Share-based compensation	(2,295)	(1,816)	(5,737)	(4,392)
Write-off of debt issuance costs and refinancing fees		(12,739)	(433)	(12,759)
Loss on early retirement of notes		(13,453)		(13,453)
Strategic review transaction costs	(7,194)		(8,282)
Operating and other expenses	(12,821)	(16,750)	(35,760)	(37,271)
Operating segments EBIT	$ (24,326)	$ (40,491)	$ (49,729)	$ (96,409)