Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Revenues, net	$ 4,246,708	$ 4,778,424	$ 4,686,858
Cost of products sold	(3,878,942)	(4,375,760)	(4,331,336)
Gross margin	367,766	402,664	355,522
Selling, marketing and general and administrative expenses	(310,534)	(289,758)	(279,471)
Charges for restructuring and long-term receivables (Note 5 and 6)	(5,158)	(16,412)	(31,459)
ITOCHU transaction related costs (Note 3)	(48,395)
Gain on legal settlements, net (Note 18)			32,521
Gain on asset sales (Note 9)	12,913	4,541	3,017
Operating income	16,592	101,035	80,130
Other income (expense), net	(3,130)	(380)	(276)
Interest income	4,654	4,093	5,871
Interest expense	(12,219)	(9,628)	(8,256)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings	5,897	95,120	77,469
Income taxes	(10,755)	2,070	(6,000)
Earnings from equity method investments	6,063	4,588	6,571
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	1,205	101,778	78,040
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(150,003)	(60,324)	(111,163)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	7,231	339	2,957
Net income (loss)	(141,567)	41,793	(30,166)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,896)	(3,434)	(3,958)
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.	$ (144,463)	$ 38,359	$ (34,124)
Earnings per share - Basic (Note 21):
Income from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 0.00	$ 1.15	$ 0.88
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.	$ (1.64)	$ 0.44	$ (0.39)
Earnings per share - Diluted (Note 21):
Income from continuing operations excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 0.00	$ 1.14	$ 0.88
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.	$ (1.64)	$ 0.44	$ (0.39)