Employee Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans - Schedule of Information Regarding Contribution in Multiemployer Pension Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 29,930	$ 28,933	$ 29,148
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	916145047
Pension Plan Number	001
Central States Southeast And Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	366044243
Pension Plan Number	001
Retail Wholesale Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	630708442
Pension Plan Number	001
Dairy Industry Union Pension Plan For Philadelphia Vicinity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	236283288
Pension Plan Number	001
Dean Foods Company
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 29,900	28,900	29,100
Dean Foods Company | Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	916145047
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 12,800	12,900	13,500
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Central States Southeast And Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	366044243
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 9,300	11,900	11,100
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Retail Wholesale Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	630708442
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 1,300	1,300	1,300
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | Dairy Industry Union Pension Plan For Philadelphia Vicinity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer Identification Number	236283288
Pension Plan Number	001
Total contribution	$ 2,100	2,000	1,800
Surcharge Imposed	No
Dean Foods Company | All Other Multiemployer Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total contribution	$ 4,400	$ 800	$ 1,400