Segment Information (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	$ 5,057,247	$ 5,099,270
Assets of discontinued operations		40,191
Wholesale/U.S. Nutrition
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	2,531,145	2,527,402
European Retail
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	864,231	853,717
Direct Response/E-Commerce
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	772,240	781,464
North American Retail
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	91,510	93,164
Corporate/Manufacturing
Total assets by segment:
Consolidated assets	$ 792,121	$ 803,332