Quarterly Results 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 25, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011	Jul. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 27, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,990,571	$ 2,933,331	$ 2,821,533	$ 2,783,451	$ 3,011,668	$ 2,874,927	$ 2,803,271	$ 2,817,706	$ 11,528,886	$ 11,507,572	$ 10,558,636
Gross profit	1,073,995	1,106,515	1,013,016	1,001,944	1,010,681	1,033,598	966,890	983,620	4,195,470	3,994,789	3,944,377
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	198,519	308,214	294,705	286,177	206,664	288,283	244,934	234,493	1,087,615	974,374	1,029,067
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 195,886	$ 269,546	$ 289,444	$ 258,027	$ 175,342	$ 284,694	$ 237,009	$ 226,114	$ 1,012,903	$ 923,159	$ 989,510
Net income from continuing operations- diluted	$ 0.61	$ 0.95	$ 0.91	$ 0.89	$ 0.64	$ 0.89	$ 0.76	$ 0.72	$ 3.37	$ 3.01	$ 3.18
Net income from continuing operations- basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.96	$ 0.92	$ 0.89	$ 0.65	$ 0.90	$ 0.76	$ 0.73	$ 3.39	$ 3.03	$ 3.21
Cash dividends	$ 0.515	$ 0.515	$ 0.515	$ 0.515	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 2.06	$ 1.92	$ 1.80