INVESTMENTS Equity in (Income) Loss of Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2012		Jan. 30, 2011		Jan. 29, 2012		Jan. 30, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in loss (income) of affiliates	$ 22.0		$ (15.2)		$ 11.3		$ (44.3)
Campofrio Food Group [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in loss (income) of affiliates	28.2	[1]	(7.1)	[1]	24.0	[1]	(18.0)	[1]
Segment	International
Mexican Joint Ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in loss (income) of affiliates	(6.4)		(7.8)		(11.3)		(23.6)
Segment	International
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in loss (income) of affiliates	$ 0.2		$ (0.3)		$ (1.4)		$ (2.7)
Segment	Various

[1] CFG prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Our share of CFG’s results reflects U.S. GAAP adjustments and thus, there may be differences between the amounts we report for CFG and the amounts reported by CFG.