Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2011	Jul. 28, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,849,581	$ 2,480,825
Cost of products sold	1,864,088	1,572,848
Gross profit	985,493	907,977
Selling, general and administrative expenses	615,930	502,262
Operating income	369,563	405,715
Interest income	9,777	4,117
Interest expense	70,955	66,752
Other expense, net	2,280	10,289
Income before income taxes	306,105	332,791
Provision for income taxes	71,146	84,196
Net income	234,959	248,595
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	8,845	8,168
Net income attributable to H. J. Heinz Company	$ 226,114	$ 240,427
Net income per share attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders- Diluted	$ 0.70	$ 0.75
Average common shares outstanding-diluted	324,246	321,009
Net income per share attributable to H. J. Heinz Company common shareholders- basic	$ 0.70	$ 0.76
Average common shares outstanding-basic	321,411	318,060
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.48	$ 0.45