Changes in Equity 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 2,810,822	[1]
Comprehensive (loss)/income	449,212	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	(333,349)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(8,141)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	63,822
Stock option expense	8,007
Restricted stock unit activity	3,759
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	(80,016)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(4,881)	[3]
Other	4,726
Ending balance	2,913,961
Capital Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	107,835
Comprehensive (loss)/income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(1)
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	0
Ending balance	107,834
Additional Capital [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	594,608
Comprehensive (loss)/income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	(3,427)
Stock option expense	8,007
Restricted stock unit activity	(9,543)
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(69)
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	18,956	[3]
Other	416
Ending balance	608,948
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	7,567,278
Comprehensive (loss)/income	547,471	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	(333,349)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(7,703)	[3]
Other	534
Ending balance	7,774,231
Treasury Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(4,666,404)
Comprehensive (loss)/income	0	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	67,249
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	13,302
Conversion of preferred into common stock	70
Shares reacquired	(80,016)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	3,776
Ending balance	(4,662,023)
Accum OCI [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(844,728)
Comprehensive (loss)/income	(102,759)	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	0
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(16,134)	[3]
Other	0
Ending balance	(963,621)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	52,233
Comprehensive (loss)/income	4,500	[2]
Dividends paid to shareholders of H.J. Heinz Company	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(8,141)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	0
Stock option expense	0
Restricted stock unit activity	0
Conversion of preferred into common stock	0
Shares reacquired	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	[3]
Other	0
Ending balance	$ 48,592

[1] The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

[2] The allocation of the individual components of comprehensive income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company and the noncontrolling interest is disclosed in Note 11.

[3] During the first quarter of Fiscal 2013, the Company acquired an additional 15% interest in Coniexpress S.A. Industrias Alimenticias ("Coniexpress") for $80.1 million. Coniexpress is a Brazilian subsidiary of the Company that manufacturers tomato-based sauces, tomato paste, ketchup, condiments and vegetables. Prior to the transaction, the Company owned 80% of this business. See Note 18 for further details regarding this redeemable noncontrolling interest.