Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012	Jan. 26, 2011	Jan. 25, 2012	Jan. 26, 2011
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 287,239	$ 276,527	$ 762,334	$ 779,064
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(113,519)	65,989	(484,309)	229,735
Reclassification of net pension and post-retirement benefit losses to net income	13,646	13,673	40,870	39,846
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	2,931	3,260	29,796	11,386
Net deferred losses/(gains) on derivatives reclassified to earnings	285	(10,241)	(16,513)	(17,986)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	190,582	349,208	332,178	1,042,045
H.J. Heinz Company [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	284,694		747,817
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(114,958)		(464,613)
Reclassification of net pension and post-retirement benefit losses to net income	13,646		40,841
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	2,978		29,880
Net deferred losses/(gains) on derivatives reclassified to earnings	273		(16,804)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	186,633	346,691	337,121	1,026,887
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	2,545		14,517
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,439		(19,696)
Reclassification of net pension and post-retirement benefit losses to net income	0		29
Net deferred gains/(losses) on derivatives from periodic revaluations	(47)		(84)
Net deferred losses/(gains) on derivatives reclassified to earnings	12		291
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 3,949	$ 2,517	$ (4,943)	$ 15,158