Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010
Sales	$ 11,649,079	$ 10,706,588	$ 10,494,983
Cost of products sold	7,649,549	6,754,048	6,700,677
Gross profit	3,999,530	3,952,540	3,794,306
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,548,362	2,304,350	2,235,078
Operating income	1,451,168	1,648,190	1,559,228
Interest income	34,615	22,565	45,137
Interest expense	294,104	275,398	295,711
Other expense, net	(8,236)	(21,188)	(18,200)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,183,443	1,374,169	1,290,454
Provision for income taxes	243,535	368,221	358,514
Income from continuing operations	939,908	1,005,948	931,940
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(49,597)
Net income	939,908	1,005,948	882,343
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	16,749	16,438	17,451
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	923,159	989,510	864,892
Diluted
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 2.85	$ 3.06	$ 2.87
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 2.85	$ 3.06	$ 2.71
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	323,321	323,042	318,113
Basic
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 2.87	$ 3.09	$ 2.89
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 2.87	$ 3.09	$ 2.73
Average common shares outstanding-basic	320,686	320,118	315,948
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.92	$ 1.80	$ 1.68
Amounts attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	923,159	989,510	914,489
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(49,597)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 923,159	$ 989,510	$ 864,892