Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 2 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010	Apr. 29, 2009
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment loss	$ 0
Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets (Excluding goodwill)	0
Future amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets	29,000,000
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	898,977,000	800,810,000
Accum Amort	(385,947,000)	(350,196,000)
Net	513,030,000	450,614,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amortization expense for trademarks and other intangible assets	29,000,000	28,200,000	28,200,000
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	1,085,700,000	847,100,000
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	297,020,000	267,435,000
Accum Amort	(83,343,000)	(73,500,000)
Net	213,677,000	193,935,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	942,500,000	701,200,000
Licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	208,186,000	208,186,000
Accum Amort	(158,228,000)	(152,509,000)
Net	49,958,000	55,677,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	20,700,000	32,100,000
Recipes/processes [Member]
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	90,553,000	78,080,000
Accum Amort	(31,988,000)	(26,714,000)
Net	58,565,000	51,366,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	122,500,000	113,800,000
Customer-related assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	224,173,000	180,302,000
Accum Amort	(57,555,000)	(43,316,000)
Net	166,618,000	136,986,000
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets
Gross	79,045,000	66,807,000
Accum Amort	(54,833,000)	(54,157,000)
Net	$ 24,212,000	$ 12,650,000

Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Textuals)

Name:	hnz_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hnz
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Finite-Lived Trademarks and other intangible assets.

+ Details

Name:	hnz_FiniteLivedTrademarksAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hnz
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

+ Details

Name:	hnz_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hnz
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by (used in) operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(2)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for intangible assets subject to amortization.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(3)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e(2)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph b

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 46
-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts (original costs for current and prior period additions adjusted for impairment, if any) as of the balance sheet date of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant