Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010	Apr. 29, 2009
Tax expenses benefits associated with components of other comprehensive income
Net pension and post-retirement benefit losses	$ (25,656)	$ (38,835)	$ 139,001
Reclassification of net pension and post-retirement benefit losses to net income	25,276	18,468	12,273
Unrealized translation adjustments	(1,158)	20,491	14,004
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges	(10,216)	13,973	(9,464)
Net hedging gains/losses reclassified into earnings	(14,958)	7,968	(5,508)
TOTAL H.J. HEINZ COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Tax expenses benefits associated with components of other comprehensive income
Net pension and post-retirement benefit losses	(25,670)	(39,186)	138,862
Reclassification of net pension and post-retirement benefit losses to net income	25,276	18,468	12,273
Unrealized translation adjustments	(1,158)	20,491	14,004
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges	(10,348)	13,713	(9,413)
Net hedging gains/losses reclassified into earnings	(15,149)	7,885	(5,486)
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Tax expenses benefits associated with components of other comprehensive income
Net pension and post-retirement benefit losses	14	351	139
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges	132	260	(51)
Net hedging gains/losses reclassified into earnings	$ 191	$ 83	$ (22)

Tax effect on the accumulated change in the value of either the projected benefit obligation or the plans assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FAS 87 and 106.

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- Definition

Tax effect of the adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity.

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- Definition

Tax effect on reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

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- Definition

For each annual statement of income presented, the tax effect of the net gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income that is a reclassification adjustment of other comprehensive income as a result of being recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 25

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- Definition

Tax effect on the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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