Quarterly Results 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 25, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011	Jul. 27, 2011	Apr. 27, 2011	Jan. 26, 2011	Oct. 27, 2010	Jul. 28, 2010	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$ 3,049,589	$ 2,918,077	$ 2,831,832	$ 2,849,581	$ 2,888,790	$ 2,722,350	$ 2,614,623	$ 2,480,825	$ 11,649,079	$ 10,706,588	$ 10,494,983
Gross profit	1,003,277	1,040,722	970,038	985,493	1,049,643	1,028,293	966,627	907,977	3,999,530	3,952,540	3,794,306
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 175,342	$ 284,694	$ 237,009	$ 226,114	$ 223,863	$ 273,785	$ 251,435	$ 240,427	$ 923,159	$ 989,510	$ 864,892
Net income- diluted	$ 0.54	$ 0.88	$ 0.73	$ 0.70	$ 0.69	$ 0.84	$ 0.78	$ 0.75	$ 2.85	$ 3.06	$ 2.71
Net income- basic	$ 0.55	$ 0.89	$ 0.74	$ 0.70	$ 0.70	$ 0.85	$ 0.78	$ 0.76	$ 2.87	$ 3.09	$ 2.73
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 0.45	$ 0.45	$ 0.45	$ 1.92	$ 1.80	$ 1.68