Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010	Apr. 29, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 10,706,588	$ 10,494,983	$ 10,011,331
Cost of products sold	6,754,048	6,700,677	6,442,075
Gross profit	3,952,540	3,794,306	3,569,256
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,304,350	2,235,078	2,066,810
Operating income	1,648,190	1,559,228	1,502,446
Interest income	22,565	45,137	64,150
Interest expense	275,398	295,711	339,635
Other (expense)/income, net	(21,188)	(18,200)	92,922
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,374,169	1,290,454	1,319,883
Provision for income taxes	368,221	358,514	375,483
Income from continuing operations	1,005,948	931,940	944,400
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(49,597)	(6,439)
Net income	1,005,948	882,343	937,961
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	16,438	17,451	14,889
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	989,510	864,892	923,072
Diluted
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.06	$ 2.87	$ 2.91
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)	$ (0.02)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.06	$ 2.71	$ 2.89
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	323,042	318,113	318,063
Basic
Continuing operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.09	$ 2.89	$ 2.95
Discontinued operations attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)	$ (0.02)
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders	$ 3.09	$ 2.73	$ 2.93
Average common shares outstanding-basic	320,118	315,948	313,747
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.80	$ 1.68	$ 1.66
Amounts attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	989,510	914,489	929,511
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(49,597)	(6,439)
Net income	$ 989,510	$ 864,892	$ 923,072