Fiscal 2012 Productivity Initiatives 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 25, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011	Jul. 27, 2011	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012 Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 North American Consumer Products [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Europe [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Asia Pacific [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 U.S. Foodservice [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Rest of World [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Non-Operating [Member]		Apr. 29, 2012 Non-Operating [Member]		Apr. 27, 2011 Non-Operating [Member]		Apr. 29, 2012 Non-Operating [Member] Productivity Initatives [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax charges	$ 94,300	$ 33,700	$ 37,300	$ 40,200	$ 205,400	$ 205,400	$ 25,600	$ 56,400	$ 65,700	$ 52,800	$ 4,400	$ 0	[1]	$ 205,418	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 600

[1] See Note 4 for further details on Fiscal 2012 productivity initiatives.