Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2011	Oct. 27, 2010	Oct. 26, 2011	Oct. 27, 2010
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 240,136	$ 253,942	$ 475,095	$ 502,537
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(345,045)	189,801	(370,790)	163,746
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	13,304	12,966	27,224	26,173
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	11,128	4,086	26,865	8,126
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	(5,056)	(5,271)	(16,798)	(7,745)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	(85,533)	455,524	141,596	692,837
H.J. Heinz Company [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	237,009		463,123
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(321,926)		(349,655)
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	13,244		27,195
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	11,126		26,902
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	(5,241)		(17,077)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	(65,788)	451,555	150,488	680,196
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	3,127		11,972
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(23,119)		(21,135)
Reclassification of net pension and postretirement benefit (gains)/losses to net income	60		29
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	2		(37)
Net deferred (gains)/losses on derivatives reclassified to earnings	185		279
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	$ (19,745)	$ 3,969	$ (8,892)	$ 12,641