CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (20,296)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 819,357us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 161,041us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative translation adjustment	(802)	(10,791)	11,287
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax:
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(116)	(81)	(19,793)
Less: reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income	(220)	58,784	24,964
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax:
Prior service costs arising during the period	(659)	0	(193)
Net gain (loss) arising during the period	(30,159)	37,621	(16,343)
Less: amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic benefit cost	4,163	9,452	9,333
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	0	415,783	0
Less: Reclassifications to income statement related to disposition of available-for-sale securities	0	(415,783)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,793)	94,985	9,255
Comprehensive income (loss)	(48,089)	914,342	170,296
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	4,795	3,207
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company	$ (48,089)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 909,547us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 167,089us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of cost (credit) of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service resulting from a plan amendment or plan initiation that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

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