Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 16, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 18, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Oct. 06, 2012	Oct. 08, 2011	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes									$ (96)	$ 100,491	$ 76,742
Loss from discontinued operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes									(151,598)	(62,471)	(113,823)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	7,231				339				7,231	339	2,957
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.	$ (209,639)	$ 64,129	$ 16,367	$ 4,191	$ 81,766	$ 1,040	$ (15,320)	$ (48,638)	$ (144,463)	$ 38,359	$ (34,124)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic									87,840	87,619	87,451
Dilutive effects of stock incentive plan										462	215
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted									87,840	88,081	87,666
Earnings Per Share- Basic:
Income from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of income taxes									$ 0.00	$ 1.15	$ 0.88
Loss from discontinued operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes									$ (1.72)	$ (0.71)	$ (1.30)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes									$ 0.08		$ 0.03
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									$ (1.64)	$ 0.44	$ (0.39)
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Income from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes									$ 0.00	$ 1.14	$ 0.88
Loss from discontinued operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes									$ (1.72)	$ (0.70)	$ (1.30)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes									$ 0.08		$ 0.03
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									$ (1.64)	$ 0.44	$ (0.39)